Born in Washington State, Deacon Schmiesing is the oldest of seven children. Moving to Ohio just before his seventh birthday, they eventually settled near Sidney, where his dad grew up. He has three adopted brothers and three biological siblings, with only seven and half years between him and his …

  Deacon Packer grew up in Lebanon, Ohio, the eldest of eight children, with five brothers and two sisters. They were homeschooled and took on responsibilities for a house that ran all day long. He enjoyed playing sports with the neighbors and reading. Come Rack! Come Rope! is a favorite …

  Blessed to have a loving mom, dad, and three older brothers, Deacon Moore enjoyed growing up in Groesbeck, playing from morning to dusk. When not playing, his family was found at St. Ann on Galbraith Road for church, school, and sports. Married to his wife, Lori, until she passed …

  Deacon Klare is the third of seven children, his mom is one of ten, and his dad is one of seven. Big family parties and cousins coming over to play were staples in his childhood. Growing up in this big family instilled an enduring love for family life. An …

  Growing up in Miamisburg as the oldest of five children, Deacon Jasek was blessed with a family that placed the Catholic faith and a relationship with Jesus at the center of life. He is particularly grateful for the time they made to pray each evening—often the Rosary—and to gather …

  Deacon Homoelle grew up in a loving family in Cheviot. He is the oldest of four, with two brothers and one sister. His fondest memories include visiting his grandparents’ condo for summer vacations and traveling out West to see Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park. He loves the movie …

  The third of six boys to parents Mike and Kathy, Deacon Gruss is from Coldwater, Ohio. Five brothers meant a lot of rough-housing and picking on each other but also a lot of love and support. Through the family’s involvement in 4-H, they raised animals for the fair—ducks, chickens, …

  Born in Northern Kentucky, Deacon Gross moved to Morrow, Ohio, with his parents and three sisters when he was four years old. His parents emphasized the faith in the home, Mass each Sunday, and prayer before meals. His childhood was full of adventure—canoe trips, Kings Island, impromptu sports competitions, …

    Deacon Emmerling is the oldest of eight children from a devout Catholic family. He grew up on Cincinnati’s west side, near St. Ignatius Church. He inherited a love of cooking from his parents and enjoys cooking for others. Because of his family’s special devotion to St. Joseph, this …

The Catholic Church has given us universities, hospitals, orphanages, incredible advancements in art and science, appreciation of moral concepts and human dignity, unprecedented care for the marginalized, preservation of knowledge, and so much more! It’s almost impossible to imagine the world without these things, yet we know it was a …