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 1984-1986, 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, September of 1993 and Confirmation, March of 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 19, 2007, and received a Master of Divinity degree.
I was Parochial Vicar at St. Charles Borromeo, Kettering, 2007 to 2010. I was Pastor of St. Peter in Chains in Hamilton, 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, 2013-2017. I was Pastor of St. Antoninus Church, Green Township 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, Serra, 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 Umber.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Haft