News - November 2021 RSS Feed

In my last article I wrote on the Synod which Pope Francis has called for 2023 and has invited the people of each diocese to have input into its preparation. In doing so, I mentioned that one of the most significant insights in the documents of the Second Vatican Council is that each of us, because of our baptism, shares in the Christ’s three roles as priest (sanctifier), prophet (teacher), and king (servant leader).

MOBILE — Archdiocese of Mobile Catholic Schools celebrated on Nov. 8 as masks became optional for all students and adults for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi issued a decree Nov. 5 for the implementation of Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Letter “Traditionis Custodes,” (Guardians of the Tradition) concerning Masses celebrated in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite — often called “the traditional Latin Mass” or “Tridentine Mass.”

In an effort to bring the family of God closer together at St. Mary and St. Joan of Arc parishes in Mobile, Pastor Fr. Stephen Vrazel announced revised Sunday Mass schedules for the two parishes. Two of the combined seven Masses currently c

The inaugural Magi Market will be from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish gym in Mobile. Gifts of inspiration that reflect the meaning of Christmas will be available, including gift baskets and wreaths, homemade goodies, hand-crafted Christmas ornaments, decorations and used items. 

MONTGOMERY — For nearly 40 years at St. Jude Social Services and Resurrection Catholic Missions, Salena Selmar Moore has served as a social worker. A retirement celebration was held in her honor Oct. 27 at the Capital City Club in Montgomery.

ORANGE BEACH — The Baldwin Escambia Deanery of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women hosted the 85th annual convention this year in Orange Beach (Oct. 31 — Nov. 2). In addition to the Baldwin Deanery, the ACCW also includes Mobile, Montgomery and Dothan deaneries. The theme for the event was “Hope Anchors the Soul” with emphasis on hope during these troubling times. 

The weekend that this newspaper arrives is the weekend that we celebrate the final Sunday of the Liturgical Year.  The Feast on that last weekend is the Feast of Christ the King.  As Church feasts go, this one is relatively new, declared by Pope Pius XI in 1925.

Our turkey and all the fixings may cost a little more this year, but being together with family is priceless. Thanksgiving is an excellent time to reflect on the many blessings in our life. As many families did not gather for Thanksgiving last year due to the pandemic, we are thankful to be together in person this year. 

Growing up in the Northeast, November was punctuated with traditional Thanksgiving observances. 

50 Years    Douglas Grymes was honored as recipient of the Portier Award by Spring Hill College.

Pope Francis has called for a synod. The word “synod” means to walk together on a road, and Popes will call synods to discuss how the Church is walking together as the Family of God. The Pope has called for a synod to be held in 2023, two years from now. Synods can address different topics. The people who are selected to attend the meeting depends on the topic. The synod may be about the Church in Europe or the Church in Africa or it may be about the youth of the Church, etc. 

Archdiocese celebrating with Mass, procession

St. Martin of Tours Parish in Troy begins Pilgrim Virgin apostolate, modeled after longtime ministry in Mobile

The Toy Bowl Classic celebration resumed after a one-year absence due to COVID-19. The 73rd edition was full of enthusiasm from CYO participants. Reigning over the 2021 Toy Bowl Classic were Queen Lila Jane Baggett and King Brayden Hicks of St. Mary Parish.  The court consisted of 154 eighth-graders who raised more than $60,000 to ensure the success of the CYO programs.

Brother Alan Drain, S.C., a religious Brother of the Sacred Heart, died Oct. 5, 2021, at age 84 in Baton Rouge, La. Brother Alan was born in Mobile, received a degree from Spring Hill College and taught at McGill-Institute. Brother Alan entered the juniorate at Saint Joseph’s in Metuchen, N.J., in 1956. He professed his first vows in 1957 and his final vows in Mobile, AL, in 1963. 

The inaugural Magi Market will be from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish gym in Mobile. Gifts of inspiration that reflect the meaning of Christmas will be available, including gift baskets and wreaths, homemade goodies, hand-crafted Christmas ornaments will be available. 

Jesus tells us at the end of chapter 28 of the Gospel according to Matthew: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Goal 3:  To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.”                                                  — Renewing the Vision

As the summer turns to fall and many plants turn from green to brown, it seems a natural time to reflect on death.  November has traditionally been a month when we think about and pray for our beloved dead.