Newly-ordained Fr. Alexander Crow appreciates his path to priesthood

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
MOBILE — It was only 10 years ago when teenager Alexander Crow said he wasn’t sure he believed in God. 
Now Fr. Crow is the newest priest of the Archdiocese of Mobile, ordained June 5 at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. 
According to Fr. Crow, a life-changing trip to Confession began his journey to the priesthood. He explained the idea to go to Confession one day “came out of nowhere,” but about three months later he felt called to be a priest. Fr. Crow made an about-face, listened to God’s call and soon entered seminary.
“I would’ve scoffed at the idea (beforehand),” Fr. Crow said. “Ten years ago I was as far away from the Church as one could be. Not only did I not live the Catholic faith, I wasn’t even sure if I believed in God. I have said jokingly before that my call to the priesthood is proof that God exists.”
While the journey had struggles, Fr. Crow is now appreciative of that experience as he can better assist those struggling with their faith because he has first-hand experience.
“I can certainly empathize with those who are estranged from the Catholic Church or from God in general,” Fr. Crow said. “I also know well the spiritual dangers and intellectual challenges that confront young people, especially while in college. My own journey back to the Church was not easy, but I am grateful for that struggle because it equipped me with the ability to help others find their way back.”
Fr. Crow, 28, will soon head to his first assignment at Corpus Christi Parish in Mobile. It’s close to home as Fr. Crow is originally from Semmes and St. Ignatius was his home parish. He also graduated from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in 2011, making him the 11th McT alumnus in the last 11 years to be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Mobile.
Fr. Crow was vested at Ordination by a fellow McT alumnus – Fr. Peyton Plessala, who was ordained last year and serves as parochial administrator of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Troy. 
Unlike last year’s Ordination, this year’s Ordination was open to the public as COVID-19 social distancing restrictions were extinguished last month. 
During his sermon, Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi briefly reflected on the past year in the Church in regard to COVID-19 and thanked Fr. Crow for his openness to God’s call.
“The Church always faces challenges and this past year has certainly been no exception. The Church always needs good priests and the priests of our Archdiocese have been exemplary during this pandemic in keeping the ministries and life of the Church going during unchartered and stormy times,” Archbishop Rodi said. “Alex, thank you for your response to God’s call to be one of our good priests.
“I have no idea what challenges the Church will face in future years, but if we have good priests, the Church will not only survive, it will thrive.”