COVision-19: Virtual Art Exhibit

Ask Ashlee to host Boss Up Gala and Award networking ceremony event

Sister Keli talks Hopefest: Messages of Inspiration

A favorite annual summer tradition, the Holy Cross-Immaculata Summer Festival returns to Mt. Adams this Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6 from 5:00 p.m. to midnight each night. The Festival has something for everyone! Celebrate the end of the work week on Friday with live entertainment by The Dukes Band. Saturday features entertainment by Union Son. Both nights we will offer great food, domestic and craft beers, wine, margaritas, cocktails, and soft drinks An air-conditioned casino room and traditional festival games for all ages, such as Big Six, Split the Pot, Bars and Bells, and other fun games for all ages are available both nights. Returning this year is family favorite Kids Alley, which will be open from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on both nights with games and activities for children aged 1 to 8 and their families. Also open both nights, this year's Silent Auction promises to be bigger and better than ever, with one-of-a-kind artwork, exceptional sports and entertainment packages, and other specialty items appropriate for all ages. Special theme baskets for both adults and kids will be raffled off throughout the two-day festival. Once again, our Silent Auction will be available for MOBILE and ONLINE bidding! Registration is easy – just go to hciparish.org/festival and click on "SILENT AUCTION." With this popular feature, people can place bids and follow items from a phone or PC even when not at the Festival! Once again we'll hold a Main Raffle. The Grand Prize of $7,500 cash will be drawn on Saturday evening. The second and third tickets drawn will award $1,000 and $500 respectively. Only 500 chances are sold! Tickets are just $50 each and are available at the Festival or in advance by calling the Parish Office at (513) 721-6544 or visiting the HCI Festival website at https://www.hciparish.org/festival Free, convenient parking is available at the Rookwood Restaurant parking lot each night. Shuttles will circulate from 5:00 p.m. to midnight each night, stopping at the end of Ida Street, at Tom Jones Commons, and at the corner of Paradrome Street and Loudon Street and deliver visitors to the festival site every half-hour.

How can we develop higher self-esteem? Stop looking to others for validation. It must come for the individual. You have control of your own value. Why do we have low self-esteem? It usually comes from our childhood, what we were told about ourselves from an adult. For instance, you are not good at something or you are not good enough. Or a traumatic or stressful experience. This could include abuse, divorce, or the death of a loved one. How can low self-esteem affect us? We care too much about what others think. Some of us are always trying to be the person that someone else wants us to be or saying "yes" to things that do not benefit us or make us feel better about ourselves. There is also negative self talk that keeps us down. How can we empower ourselves and build our self-esteem? You first need to look to yourself for joy and not outside circumstances. Say no. Be kind to yourself. Recognize the things you are good at. For instance, cooking, organizing, doing puzzles, and being a good friend. Build positive relationships with others. Let go of negativity in your life. How can we change the negative self-talk? There are a couple of ways. Write down the positive things people say about your or what you are good at and refer back to it when you are feeling down. Change your narrative. If you catch yourself saying things like 'I'm not good enough' or 'I'm a failure', you can start to turn things around by saying 'I can beat this'! 'I will get through this'! If I feel down or bad about something I change the way I feel by changing what I am saying to myself and it truly shifts how I feel about myself and the circumstances. It is so important that you notice your small wins and celebrate them. The more you do this the better you begin to feel about yourself. When you cut back on negative chatter in your mind you began to allow your higher self to guide you to happiness.

In honor of the Western & Southern Open next weekend, Cincinnati Cancer Advisors are hosting a fundraiser to benefit the CCA mission on August 12th at Taft Theater. It will be a 90 minute rock concert performed by The Philip Myers Band and Kevin Chalfant (former lead singer for Journey.) The event is called The Cancer Journey Experience. There will be an opportunity for VIP ticket holders to meet the band and players from the Western & Southern Tennis Open.