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The Archdiocese of Mobile is proud to present an excellently produced video on the life of our first bishop. Although the cathedral parish was established in 1703 and is the oldest congregation of any faith or denomination in Alabama, it was not until 1825 that a bishop was appointed for Mobile.

Each year, the priests in the Archdiocese of Mobile gather with the archbishop in the cathedral for the Chrism Mass when the oils used in worship are blessed and consecrated. Here is Archbishop Rodi’s sermon from this year’s Chrism Mass celebrated on March 29.

God sent Moses to Pharaoh with the message to let God’s people leave Egypt. When Pharaoh refused, God sent plague after plague upon Egypt, nine in all, but Pharaoh would not allow the Hebrews to leave Egypt. Finally, God sent a tenth plague, the death of the first born in each household. God told Moses that the angel sent to bring destruction would pass-over the homes of the Hebrews if they followed two commandments.

Fasting is found throughout the Bible. Many people are not familiar with fasting, but the Bible teaches us to fast. If the Bible teaches us to do something, we should want to do it.

Few people like to be awaken by an alarm clock from a sound sleep. Some people will turn the alarm off and go back to sleep. Others will repeatedly hit the snooze button trying to get some additional sleep. Others will get up and get going.

Thank you for reading this letter. As we begin this Season of Lent, I urge each of us to take to heart the message of Jesus as He began His public ministry: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” (Mk 1:15) If we believe the Gospel message, that God so loves us that He took flesh in order to die for our sins, we would want to repent, confess our sins, and accept the gift of eternal life He offers us.

Something struck me about New Year’s Eve 2020. Maybe it was just me, and this observation is not based upon any scientific survey, but it seemed I heard a lot fewer people saying “Happy New Year” this year.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to His disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Mt 26:26)

A letter from Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi

This year has brought much suffering into the lives of many. The COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes are but two ways in which people have experienced pain and sorrow in their lives.

There is a traditional Irish song, “The Last Rose of Summer.” The words, describing the last flower in a Fall garden, are poetry set to beautifully plaintive music:

The Catholic Church in the U.S. designated each October as Respect Life Month. Since the appalling 1973 Roe v Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, the killing of the baby in the womb is legal in this country.

Hurricane Sally inflicted damage upon much of our archdiocese. Its effects were felt as far north as Montgomery and Auburn. The worst of its winds were endured by the people in the southern half of Baldwin and Mobile Counties.

Hurricane Sally inflicted damage upon much of our archdiocese. Its effects were felt as far north as Montgomery and Auburn. The worst of its winds were endured by the people in the southern half of Baldwin and Mobile counties.

Wisdom is ageless. The Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church which clergy, religious and many lay people pray each day, recently contained a writing by St. John Chrysostom, a fourth century Archbishop of Constantinople.

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.

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.

Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI are among the great popes of the past 100 years. Both saw their native countries controlled by the fascists and then by the communists. Pope Benedict saw the fascists control his German homeland followed by the communists controlling much of Germany.

I wish to thank the clergy, religious and laity who serve in our ministries. They have been outstanding in serving all of us during this pandemic.

I imagine that many of you who are reading this article remember 9/11. I also imagine that a number of you remember the day that President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. And I imagine there may be a few of you who remember Pearl Harbor in 1941.