Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - Father Mark Steidle, 1962-2009

During his diocesan service, Father Steidle served as sacramental minister and administrator at St. Ann Church, Covington, and as associate pastor at St. Joseph Church, Cold Spring. He was chaplain and teacher at Covington Latin School, served as chaplain at the Marydale Retreat Center, and for one year (2003-04) was parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Church, Ft. Mitchell. 

Father Steidle graduated from St. Henry District High School. He studied for the priesthood at Divine Word College Seminary in Epworth, Illinois, and at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. 

Father James Ryan, pastor of St. Henry Church, Elsmere, and a friend and colleague of Father Steidle, described him as a "very bright man, very knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics." Father Steidle was effective in small-group sessions and in spiritual counseling sessions, Father Ryan said.  

He was also an excellent preacher and drew people to the Sunday evening Mass at St. Henry while he was in residence at the parish, Father Ryan said. 

Bishop Foys said Father Steidle served the diocese as high school teacher as well as a parish priest and "in these assignments he touched the hearts and lives of people. He was a gifted person who used his gifts in the service of Christ and the Church. 

"May he now enjoy the eternal light and peace which we all desire and hope one day to achieve in eternity." 

Bishop Foys celebrated a memorial Mass Sept. 15 at St. Henry Church. Interment in the St. Mary Mausoleum will take place at a later date. 

Memorials are suggested to St. Henry Memorial Fund, 3813 Dixie Highway, Elsmere 41018-1809.