I Plunge Report from Kristen Schoner

This was my third time going on the I-plunge. I had the privilege of going on it with Lindsey Kauffman, Alex Lovins, and my mom. They loved it and they had a lot of fun and that’s why I go back because you meet new people, learn a lot and have fun. My favorite place that my group went to was the Bethany House. At the Bethany House they provide care and shelter for women and children. They help them to get back on their feet and try to assist them in obtaining a job and getting into affordable housing. One of the Directors there is Ms. Liz; she was great. My group all saw God working in her. My group also went to the St. Francis Seraph Soup Kitchen, Old St. Mary’s Church, The Mary Magdalene House, Catholic Association in Northside (CAIN), Housing Opportunities Northern Kentucky (HONK), and the Free Store Food Bank to help sort and pack food. All of these ministries serve in very different ways.



I-Plunge Perspectives - Angela Schoner, Chaperone

It was a privilege to go on the I-Plunge at the Milford Spiritual Center with three of our youth. We were joined with 21 youth from St. Margaret of York. There aren’t words to describe what we had learned. Did you know there are more homeless women and children than there are men? There are many shelters to help women and children while there are only three shelters for men. Did you know that many of the homeless work? Yes that is right, however they make just at or right above the poverty level and can’t afford housing, utilities and basic needs. My group had the opportunity to prepare and serve lunch at the Walnut Hills Soup Kitchen. When the doors opened and we began to serve I saw a deep humbleness in the eyes of those that came in. All were quiet and thankful and the words they said to us were “God bless you”. My group and I saw God working at this soup kitchen. It was a very profound experience. Other ministries that my group and I worked at were the Cincinnati Housing Partners, Mary Magdalene House, Free Store Food Bank and the Bethany House. Each one of these ministries administer to the poor and homeless in many different ways. The youth directors at JSC [Milford Jesuit Spiritual Center] are wonderful. Each night they helped our children process what they saw and learned through group discussions, games, music and prayer. This is an awesome experience that each of our youth should do. I thank the PYO for the opportunity to chaperone and experience this with our youth.

NOTE: FESTIVAL Mass Schedule Change
Evening Mass on Saturday, September 4 will begin at 3:00 pm to accommodate a 4:30 pm start time for the Festival. The schedule remains unchanged for Sunday, September 5 with Masses at
8:30 & 10:30 am.