Mary Rita “Irish” Sims, 80, died Monday, Dec. 14. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Parish in Dayton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Holy Family Church. Harris Funeral Home in Dayton is handling the arrangements.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 St. Francis Seraph celebrates 150th anniversary By Eileen Connelly, OSU CATHEDRAL DEANERY — When St. Francis Seraph Parish in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine marked its 75th anniversary in 1934, Franciscan Father John B. Wuest, who penned a commemorative booklet for the occasion, wrote, “A parish is not a thing of …

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 By Sister Betty J. Lillie, S.C. Fourth Sunday of Advent: Micah 5:1-4a;  Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19;  Hebrews 10:5-10;  Luke 1:39-45. The beautiful “O” antiphons that are sung at vespers from Dec. 17-23 remind us that Christmas is near. They recall for us the long period of …

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 A Mass of Christian Burial for Adrian Dominican Sister Felicia Haidysz was held on Dec. 18 in St. Catherine Chapel at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Mich. Sister Felicia, 93, died on Dec. 13, in her 75th year of her religious profession with the congregation.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 A Memorial Mass for David Reker, an assistant superintendent of schools for the archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office, was celebrated on Dec. 12 at St. Vivian Church in Finneytown. Reker, 61, died on Dec. 7.

Monday, December 14, 2009 DAYTON DEANERY — The Catholic Education Collaborative recently received a $5,000 grant from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District (MCACD) for the Urban Elementary Instrumental Music Initiative. These funds will be used to provide a band/musical instrument experience to Catholic school students who may otherwise …

Friday, December 11, 2009 CATHEDRAL DEANERY — Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk continues his teaching ministry with a new effort in partnership with St. Anthony Messenger Press.

Friday, December 11, 2009 By Mike Dyer ARCHDIOCESE — LaRosa’s believes the holiday season is a perfect time to help make a significant difference in the lives of people in need around the community. This year is certainly no different.

Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Father Kyle Schnippel As we journey through the Advent season, at least part of me wonders what was going through Mary’s mind during that journey. The somewhat haunting refrain of a popular carol asks: “Mary, did you know that your baby boy would someday walk …

Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Mike Dyer ARCHDIOCESE — Angela Dornbach didn’t hear her full name spoken until she was in first grade, but she understood a spiritual message loud and clear at a very young age.