HONOREES — Bishop Edward M. Lohse, apostolic administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Steubenville, stood in Holy Rosary Church Monday with the four 2024 recipients of the diocese’s “Caritas Medal.” From left are Colleen A. Bahen, Thomas H. Hisrich, Lohse, Deacon Randall Redington and Mary Ellen Redington. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Nothing but standing room remained inside Holy Rosary Church for Monday’s Mass celebrating 80 years since the Catholic Diocese of Steubenville’s establishment.

The Mass and ensuing social in Holy Rosary’s fellowship hall marked eight decades since the 13-county diocese’s founding on Oct. 21, 1944. Carved out of the Diocese of Columbus, the Steubenville diocese was established as a missionary diocese by Pope Pius XII, who named Monsignor John King Mussio as its first bishop.

Since then, the diocese has been led by four other bishops and two apostolic administrators, including Bishop Edward M. Lohse, who presided over Monday’s Mass. During his homily, Lohse chartered a vision for the diocese’s future centered on “caritas,” or the virtue of love, and he later awarded “Caritas Medals” to four long-time servants of the diocese.

The Mass began with a procession that incorporated local Knights of Columbus and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, as well as a crowd of diocesan priests and deacons.

Following the procession, Lohse stated to the congregation: “It is a great joy for us to gather here today … for this celebration, giving thanks for 80 years of the life of faith in this diocese, for the Lord’s outpouring of his grace.”

Lohse — who is bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Mich. — has been serving as Steubenville’s apostolic administrator since June 14. His appointment by Pope Francis came at a pivotal time in the diocese’s history, amid ongoing deliberation regarding a possible merger with the Diocese of Columbus.

The merger is proposed as a solution to concerns in the Steubenville diocese about declining membership and long-term financial solvency. A June 14 release from the Diocese of Steubenville states that Lohse will “complete the current process of discernment” for the diocese, which contains about 30,000 Catholics, according to most recent estimates.

In his homily, Lohse drew a distinction between the virtue of love and the feeling of love. While “caritas” can be accompanied by feelings of warmth and positive emotions, the virtue of love is truly defined by actions of “sacrifice and selflessness.” The virtue of love, he said, is not so much “love felt” as it is “love done” — doing what is right even when it’s difficult.

“Sooner or later, the virtue of love is going to demand a great price from us. The emotion doesn’t do that, but the virtue does,” Lohse said. “And in doing so, the virtue of love will return to us something that money cannot buy and the world cannot give. When it asks us to give our very selves, in that we will discover our truest selves.”

Lohse said the diocese is celebrating for 80 years of “caritas,” encompassing “families, baptisms and first communions, … marriages and confirmations and ordinations, … entrusting our loved ones to the angels and saints when their earthly days are over, … assisting the poor, teaching the young, sheltering the homeless (and) forgiving injuries.”

However, the diocese also stands at a “crossroads,” Lohse said.

“We do not know exactly where the road ahead will take us, and so it requires faith. The question has yet to be answered, but we do know this: We know that we will remain faithful to Christ no matter what. That we will continue to respond to his call to love deeply, generously and heroically — ‘caritas.'”

Lohse exhorted members of the diocese not to “rest on our accomplishments” from the past 80 years but, instead, to look at the future with hope. He stressed that the diocese, amid this uncertainty, ought to recommit itself to the eucharist and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the diocese’s patroness.

“Standing at this crossroad, on this 80th anniversary, we know that, no matter where our story goes from here — and I don’t know where it’s going — it is not ending,” Lohse said. “We are merely beginning a new chapter. Former generations have written the chapters that go before us, but our chapter is not yet written.”

He continued: “Our time is now. My brothers and sisters, we have work to do. We have a chapter to write. Come to think of it, I think I know what a wonderful title for the chapter we’re about to write could be. Let’s call it ‘Caritas.'”

During the Mass’ concluding rites, Lohse four “Caritas Medals,” awards instituted by Mussio in 1955. Medals are meant to recognize members of the diocese of “exceptional Catholic action through exemplary public and private Catholic life, distinguished service to the Diocese of Steubenville, contribution to diocesan life and promotion of the faith.”

Awarded numerous times throughout the years, “Caritas Medals” were most recently issued in 2014 during the diocese’s 70th anniversary, according to an event program.

Among 2024 honorees were Colleen A. Bahen, Thomas H. Hisrich, Deacon Randall and Mary Ellen Redington. The four were recognized for their “faithful living out of the Catholic faith,” among other qualities.

Bahen was noted to have provided “devoted service” to the late Bishop Gilbert Sheldon, the diocese’s third bishop, as well as 41 years of “exceptional service” in the Diocesan Pastoral Center, especially the Tribunal and the Office of Worship.

An attorney, Hisrich was recognized for his “loyal support of and work” for the diocese and its parishes, in addition to many years of “dedicated service” as the Diocese of Steubenville Finance Council chairman.

The Redingtons’ honor came due to their “selfless service” to the dioceses, its parishes and its ministries. Additionally, the two were recognized for the “years of work” they contributed toward planning and hosting the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which passed through the Steubenville and the Ohio Valley in June.

Lohse personally thanked all those who made the anniversary Mass possible and gave special thanks to all of the diocese’s clergy, religious men and women, parents and grandparents.

The Mass concluded with Lohse imparting an apostolic blessing, which offered those present a plenary indulgence, provided they meet other criteria outlined by the Catholic Church.