News - August 2020 RSS Feed

The local Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that covers the area of the Archdiocese of Mobile reported that Vincentians throughout the archdiocese provided more than $625,000 worth of aid to the poor and needy in southern Alabama during the latest fiscal year.

Carol Baker of Visitation Monastery and Visitation Sister Christine Marie presented the Apostleship of the Sea ministry a box of handmade Rosaries to be given to visiting seafarers.

The Archdiocese of Mobile’s annual celebration for the Feast of Christ the King will be adjusted this year due to COVID-19. The celebration normally includes a Rosary procession through downtown Mobile before Mass at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

Sister Carolyn Oberkirch celebrated her 25th anniversary as administrator of the Convent of Mercy retirement home on Aug. 28.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi installs permanent diaconate candidate Matthew Jakubowski into the ministry of lector on Aug. 15 at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The C-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of several events which I miss. One of the events I will miss the most is the annual Blue Mass. For many years the Archdiocese of Mobile has celebrated the Blue Mass at which we honor our First Responders and pray for them.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12 This is the verse that speaks loudest to me in these crazy times. In January I joked that the year 2020 was sure to be a year of perfect vision.

We are all going to die. We all know that, and we all prefer to not think about it. To have a certain fear of death is normal. We have many fears related to death.

MOBILE — Heart of Mary Catholic School, which has impacted the African-American community in Mobile for about 120 years, is beginning this school year with a new operational structure. The school is being operated by a lay-run board of directors and is no longer a parish-based ministry.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi and Archdiocese of Mobile Vocations Director Fr. Victor Ingalls emceed the gala from the Portier House in downtown Mobile. The Portier House was the residence of Bishop Michael Portier, the first bishop of Mobile.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted another ministry as the 2020 Catholic Youth Organization’s fall sports season has been cancelled, CYO director David Weems announced Aug. 6.

We are embarking on a campaign in an effort to plan for our future to ensure a stable and strong Catholic faith for the Archdiocese of Mobile for generations to come.

Archdiocese of Mobile Superintendent of Catholic Schools Gwen Byrd speaks to school faculty from the Archdiocese of Mobile Office of Catholic Schools during an online orientation on Aug. 11. The first day of school was Aug. 12

As we begin a new school year, I wish to thank the parents and families who entrust their sons and daughters to our Catholic schools, whether through in-person or distance learning.

El tiempo en que vivimos, esta temporada de pandemia por la que estamos atravesando y que ha traído sufrimiento y luto a tantas familias, también ha traído desolación espiritual a los Católicos que por meses no pudimos asistir a Misa para alimentarnos y fortalecernos con el cuerpo de Cristo.

When star athletes near the end of their career, sports commentators will remark, “Father Time is undefeated.” In other words, all athletic careers will come to an end eventually as time elapses. Time has been a fickle thing lately, as it seems like Father Time is running up the score on his way to another victory.

For their seventh birthday earlier this year, our twin sons were given small planter boxes and the seeds for them to grow small tomatoes, banana peppers and small watermelons.