From the Desk of Fr. Umberg

I want to tell you a little about myself. To make this quick I will use bullet points, then I’ll say a few other things:
- Born March 18, 1963, Cincinnati
- Third of seven children (5 boys, 2 girls)
- Both parents Catholic
- Jane Hoop School: Kindergarten, First Grade
- Assumption: Second Grade (Sister Edith)
- St. James, White Oak: (3rd-8th)
- LaSalle: (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior)
- Colerain: (Senior Year---not kicked out of LaSalle!)
- C.T.C.:(one year in chef program, 1981-1982)
- Pontifical College Josephinum: (1982-1986)
- Mount St. Mary’s Seminary:(1986-1991)
-Ordained June 1, 1991
- St. Dominic Parish: (Vicar, 1991-1994)
- Pontifical College Josephinum: (Dean of Students, 1994-1999)
- Studies: Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (1999-2001---License in Dogmatic Theology
- Mount St. Mary’s Seminary: (Dean of Students, Lecturer in Systematic Theology, 2001-2005)
- St. Angela Merici Parish, Brown County: (Pastoral Administrator, 2004-2005)
- St. William Parish: Pastor (2005-2015)
- St. Joseph Parish, North Bend: Pastor (2015-2022)
As you see, I am a Catholic boy from a big family, who tried to avoid a call to the priesthood by being a chef, but then gave in. This August it will be 40 years since I entered the seminary at age 19. On June 1st, I celebrated my 31st anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. It is great to be here at this time in my life!
-Fr. Umberg

From the Desk of Sister Margie

Thoughts from the Reading

I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.

Ezekiel 37: 14 First Reading for the 5th Sunday in Lent

Today’s 1st reading is a companion to the Gospel in talking about graves opening and the dead rising. In the 1st reading, the people have lost heart because they have been sent to Babylon or remain in devastated Jerusalem. Ezekiel attempts to lift their spirits by reminding them that they have a covenant with God that is everlasting. God has promised to put his spirit in the people. God will not abandon us and is always ready to forgive.

Sr. Margie Niemer, Pastoral Administrator

From the Desk of Father Haft

Greetings in the name of the Lord:

I am Father Ronald Haft, one of your Parochial Vicars. I would like to share a short biography about myself. I was born in 1966 and raised in Colerain Township. Our family consisted of Dad (Dick), Mom (Ruth), and older brothers Rick and Ray. Our family is Catholic but fell away from the faith during my childhood. I attended Ann Weigel Elementary, White Oak Junior High and Colerain High School, graduating in 1985. I completed the Cincinnati Technical College Culinary Arts Program in 1987.

I worked at the North Bend Road McDonald’s from 1984 to 1986, and Evergreen Retirement Community from 1986-1988. I then worked at St. Clare Retirement Community from 1988 to 1991. During this time at St. Clare, I returned to Cincinnati Technical College and completed the Dietetic Technician Program in the spring of 1991. I also worked at St. Francis - St. George Hospital for 8 months in 1991. After successfully

completing the American Dietetics Association national exam, I began working at Lebanon Correctional Institution in October 1991 as a Dietetic Technician, Registered.

In March of 1993, I returned to the practice of the Catholic Faith, receiving First Communion in September 1993 and Confirmation, in March 1994.

I purchased my own home in February 1997. Dad died in 1998. In August 2001, I sold my home and entered Mt. St Mary’s Seminary of the West. I was ordained to the Priesthood May 19th, 2007, and received a Master of Divinity degree. I was Parochial Vicar at St. Charles Borromeo in Kettering, 2007 to 2010. I was Pastor of St. Peter in Chains in Hamilton, from 2010 to 2013. I was Administrator of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus, Covington, Ohio, and Parochial Vicar to Immaculate Conception, Bradford, St. Denis Versailles, and Holy Family, French Town, 2013 to 2017. I was Pastor of St. Antoninus Church, Green Township from 2017 to 2022.

I have been a chaplain at Dayton Correctional Institution. I am currently the “Courage” and “Encourage” Chaplain for the Cincinnati area. I am also trained in “Integrity Restored”.

My brother Rick died in 2015 and is survived by his children, Sarah, Ricky, Becca, and grandchildren, Searra, Erika, Alaina, and Marissa. Mom died in 2018. My brother Ray lives in Dry Ridge, KY, on Williamstown Lake.

I am excited to be with you as we all embrace Beacons of Light under the leadership of our Pastor Father Umberg.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Haft