Thank you to those who worked so hard

As summer approaches, I wish to take this moment to give thanks to people who worked so diligently during these past challenging months of pandemic and hurricanes to bring about, with God’s help, three accomplishments which are blessings for us all: The Generations of Faith Campaign, the Annual Catholic Charities Appeal and Holy Spirit Hall. Despite all the difficulties, the life of the Church in our Archdiocese went on as evidenced by these three accomplishments.
The Generations of Faith Campaign is our first Archdiocesan Campaign. As such, it is an historic effort which has involved the people in each parish. The goal of the Campaign was $30 million. Because of the generosity of the people of our Archdiocese, more than $36 million in pledges have been made to the Campaign. This is 123 percent of goal! Thanks to all who have generously made their 5-year pledge. I ask that you please honor these pledges so that the three permanent trusts for the care of our retired priests, the education of seminarians and enhancement of youth ministry may be fulfilled.
Special thanks to the members of the Priest Advisory Committee who so ably guided the Campaign. Their names are listed below. Mrs. Shannon Roh, Executive Director of Development was the lead person with the assistance of Mrs. Laura Ball and Mrs. Michelle Knizley. Gary and Terri Cowles and Paul and Denise McTear were invaluable as Chairs of the Campaign. Mr. Mark Berlyn and the staff of Community Counseling Services gave professional assistance. Even with all these dedicated workers, the Campaign was successful only because of the tremendous support of the priests, the volunteers, and the inspirational generosity of the people of the Archdiocese, even as we coped with struggles.
The Annual Catholic Charities Appeal celebrated its 90th anniversary this year. In 1931 then-Bishop Toolen established the Appeal during the depths of the Depression. It was a most difficult moment to begin an appeal, but the people in the parishes responded most generously and made it a success then and through the years. This Appeal helps our neighbors in need throughout our Archdiocese. This year’s goal is $4.5 million. As I write this article, $4.526 million has been pledged. The Appeal is over goal! However, the pledges are down from last year when the Appeal did exceptionally well. This Appeal helps many and the need is as great now as during the Depression. If anyone has not pledged, please send your pledge into your parish; for those who have pledged, please fulfill it.
The Catholic Charities Appeal is a parish effort and only succeeds with the support of the parish clergy and volunteers. Thanks to all in our parishes who work so diligently to make the Appeal the blessing it is to others in need. Thanks also to those in the Archdiocesan Development Office: Mrs. Shannon Roh, Mrs. Laura Ball and Mrs. Michelle Knizley for their leadership in the Appeal. Thanks also to the Deanery Chairs: Teresa and Don Rhodes (Baldwin), Robert Amuso (Dothan), Jo Dunaway (Mobile), and Cary and Lynne Kuhlmann (Montgomery), and to Msgr. William Skoneki who served this year as Archdiocesan Chair.
Holy Spirit Hall is the new building for youth ministry at Camp Cullen. The original portion of Camp Cullen was donated by the Russell family to Bishop Quinlan in 1876. At first he used the house on the property as a summer home. By 1880 he had built Sacred Heart Chapel. However, the house soon became a place for young people to get out of the city and enjoy the Bay. By the late 1800s it was a regular place of recreation for the children. Other parcels of land were purchased and in 1937 another parcel was donated by the Russell family. In 1937 Msgr. Thomas M. Cullen began a summer camp for children on the site. The property then came to be popularly known as Camp Cullen. The Camp closed in 1973 and the house was used for migrant children and was called Casa de Amigos. The buildings deteriorated and 9-years ago became unusable. Now a new building, Holy Spirit Hall, has been dedicated for the next chapter in the story of youth ministry at Camp Cullen. The name was purposely chosen as a reminder that the first name for Mobile Bay was the Bay of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for all who guided the challenging construction project through pandemic and two hurricanes. Thank you to design committee, whose names are listed below, Msgr. William Skoneki, Mr. Robin Rockstall (Archdiocesan Facilities Manager), Mr. Vance McCown, Mr. Robert McCown (architect) and all at McCown Construction without whose talented services this project could not have happened. May this building be a place that gives glory to God through the ministries it will offer. 
My heart is filled with gratitude to all mentioned above. Working together, the challenges of COVID-19 and hurricanes of the past year did not stop the life of the Church in the Archdiocese of Mobile. I pray that God will bless each of you.
I am reminded that after the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, and the city being spared from being burned by the British, General Andrew Jackson returned to the city and was greeted by Mayor Girod. The Mayor welcomed the general with these words: “Thank God for Andy Jackson but most of all, thank God!” I thank God for each of you, but most of all, let us thank God!

Generations of Faith Priest Advisory Committee
* Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi
* Reverend Msgr. William Skoneki, V.G.
* Very Reverend Paul Zoghby, V.F.
* Reverend Patrick Driscoll
* Reverend Victor Ingalls
* Msgr. Michael Farmer
* Reverend Steven Williams
* Very Reverend Alejandro Valladares, V.F.
* Reverend Sherwin Monteron
* Reverend Bura Koroba, S.S.J.
* Reverend Babu Jesuraj, H.G.N.
* Reverend Zachary Greenwell

Holy Spirit Hall design committee
* Mr. Patrick Arensberg
* Reverend Msgr. Michael Farmer
* Mr. Adam Ganucheau
* Reverend Daniel Good
* Mr. Trey Krause
* Reverend Msgr. William Skoneki, V.G.
* Mr. Faustin Weber
* Reverend Steven Williams