COVINGTON — The Bishop of Covington said that Saturday reminded him of another day in March — March 19, 1996 — when he was installed as Covington's ninth bishop in the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.

        “But one thing is different,” said the Most Rev. Robert Muench, 59, as he addressed about 900 people in a crowded Cathedral Saturday morning.

Bishop Robert William Muench takes part in a procession Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington. (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

        “The roof isn't leaking. Praise God!”

        Saturday's Mass of Thanksgiving at the newly restored Cathedral was the last diocese-wide liturgical celebration before Bishop Muench leaves the Diocese of Covington for Louisiana, where he will be installed as the new Bishop of Baton Rouge on March 14.

        The 90-minute Mass was preceded by a procession of banners, with representatives of diocesan parishes and institutions, then followed by a reception for Bishop Muench at Covington Catholic High School on Dixie Highway.

        Bishop Muench leaves the 89,000-member Diocese of Covington March 12 for the 218,000-member Diocese of Baton Rouge. A successor to Bishop Muench has not been named.

        In his homily, Bishop Muench offered both light-hearted anecdotes about his six years in Covington, as well as heart-felt memories of his time here.

        He talked of fleeting time and how he'll cherish the six years he spent here. He told a story of how he once asked students about to be confirmed what last Sunday's gospel was about.

        “One student raised his hand and said, 'I went to Mass on Saturday,'” Bishop Muench recalled, laughing.

        He called the Cathedral a “gift to be preserved, to be celebrated, to be maintained. This treasure will be preserved. I have no doubt that it will.”

        But he said his best memories will be the people he has met and befriended in the diocese.

        He said he had talked to a class of students and they talked about the hardest things to say to one another, words like “I love you,” and “I am sorry” and “I forgive you.”

        “But I also want to say I will miss you and I will never forget you,” Bishop Muench said to applause that soon became a standing ovation.

        At the reception at Covington Catholic Saturday afternoon, people recalled Bishop Muench with fondness, as an especially approachable man.

        Carl Schumer of Dayton, Ky., said he regularly plays racquetball with the bishop.

        “I've never beaten him,” Mr. Schumer said. “I think he blesses the court. He has an excellent sense of humor and he is a very spiritual man.”

        Roy Moser, a retired physician who lives in Edgewood, said the bishop was good for the diocese.

        “I grew up in an era when bishops were not approachable,” said Mr. Moser.

        “He is very approachable. He is holy and humble, is available to all of his flock. He tells you that you can be human as well as holy.”

        Cindy Weisenberger of Villa Hills said as a parent she appreciated that Bishop Muench was there for the youth of the diocese.

        “He's very personable, very open,” she said. “Somebody is going to have big shoes to fill.”
       

Sweetening the pot
Dockside issues include access, tax questions
16 and serving 6 years
Washington's criminal history
Psychic wounds persist
Bishop offers farewell
Work on I-275 set to begin
Crowd shows for hip-hop, not for O.J.
Elder gets gift of $1 million
Intelligent design explicated
Police resist gun-draw proposal
Power of incumbency leads to limited choice
Scalia to present lecture
Sycamore math whizzes take first at state meet
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Public housing
CROWLEY: Kentucky Politics
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: The Yates trial
SMITH AMOS: New lease on life
Trees to be cut for street repairs
Abused-child rule may cut family placements
EPA targets big Ohio egg farm
Bill would give vets diplomas
Dayton mayor delays hiring of police chief
Four teens indicted in man's beating death
National GOP aims to topple Lucas