In October of 2024, a group known as “Do No Harm” released the Stop the Harm Database (STHD), a searchable internet resource that comprehensively catalogs sex change treatments performed between 2019-2023 on minors in health care facilities throughout the United States.
Synodality has become a bit of a buzz word in the church.
Pope Francis has been talking about synodality since the beginning of his pontificate. He believes it is “the path that God expects of the church in the third millennium,” a “constitutive,” or essential, element of the church.
I remember many lessons that my father taught me. I recall him driving me to a high school football game and his parting words to me were, “Play with reckless abandon.” It was a good lesson and can certainly be transferred to other areas of our lives. We can live with reckless abandon, and by that, I mean live life to its fullest.
It is getting to be that time again. The stifling heat has finally departed, leaving very temperate temperatures.
We are on the cusp of the holiday season and in just a few days we will take part in the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving. It is appropriate that we individually give thanks to God.
The Rosary is a grace filled way to meditate upon the life of Christ and our faith. In 2001, “Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy,” issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, urged that we use the Rosary as part of our prayer and to remember its value. A year later, Pope John Paul II published his beautiful Apostolic Letter on the Rosary.
The McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball team made it three state championships in a row with a dramatic win over Bob Jones High School on Oct. 30.
Much has happened and much has changed throughout the City of St. Jude’s proud history, but “hope” has never departed the parish.
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi celebrated Mass on Oct. 27 at St. Jude in Montgomery to recognize the parish’s 90th anniversary. The City of St. Jude has been at the forefront of championing human rights, social justice and bringing the light of Christ to those in Montgomery.
November 2 is All Souls’ Day when we pray for our beloved dead whom we entrust to the loving and merciful embrace of the Lord. It is also an appropriate occasion to remember our understanding of the final purification we undergo when we die. This experience of purification is commonly called Purgatory.
I am writing this column on Oct. 7. I read an article this morning recounting some of the terror and atrocities in Israel one year ago and it was very difficult to read. It was a poignant reminder of the despicable acts we are capable of if we lose respect for humanity, or if we cease to see our neighbor as being made in God’s image and likeness.
How can we measure success in our stewardship efforts?
In today’s culture success is often assumed by our worldly possessions. However, the success of anything can only be measured if there is an end goal.
SELMA — Sr. Mary A. Cashman, C.D.P., the director of Edmundite Missions’ New Possibilities Youth Program in Selma, and her fellow students observed the “Season of Creation” in a special way.
Ever consider the permanent diaconate?
The Archdiocese of Mobile will conduct inquiry sessions beginning in January for those interested in entering the formation program. The series will consist of six Saturday morning sessions for the English-speaking cohort and six Sunday afternoon sessions for the Hispanic cohort throughout the archdiocese.
While many are able to celebrate Christmas in the comfort of their home or with family or friends; seafarers work for nine months of the year and only go home for Christmas if it fits their schedule.
Sister Mary Ann Wilhelm, RSM who served for decades in health care ministry, including as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Mercy Medical, passed away Sept. 29 at the age of 85 after an extended illness.
The Archdiocese of Mobile is once again participating in “Box of Joy,” a Cross Catholic Outreach ministry that sends small tokens of love and hope to some of the world’s poorest children.
Mercy Medical and the Sisters of Mercy’s legacy in Daphne is being recognized.
The first installment of a display for the Daphne History Museum honoring the Sisters of Mercy and their history in Daphne was unveiled during a ceremony Sept. 19. The display includes Mercy Medical’s history, newspaper clippings and other historical documents.
As I compose these words, I am preparing to depart for Rome for the second session of the Synod on Synodality. I was elected by my brother bishops two years ago as a delegate to this gathering, and I participated in the first round last October. As I shared with you a year ago, the synod is a lot of work! It lasts four full weeks, and we meet Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Today I would like to reflect on our consciences.
Most people who are from roughly the same era as I, have powerful images from Walt Disney that are not particularly helpful. We may recall that in the film “Pinocchio,” a benevolent figure gives Jiminy Cricket to be the “conscience” of Pinocchio. Jiminy Cricket then is set in the role of rule enforcer and guide to keep Pinocchio out of trouble. The story unfolds with Jiminy Cricket trying to get Pinocchio to do the right thing. Pinocchio knows right from wrong but is weak in character and often chooses to do the wrong or bad thing. Jiminy Cricket tries to stop him from doing wrong or at least to make amends.
It is not uncommon to hear people make statements such as: “I must follow my conscience.” “I must vote as my conscience tells me.” “I can’t do what you’re telling me because it is against my conscience.”