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There are those who accuse people of faith of being anti-scientific. Such people try to argue that people of science cannot be people of faith, as if the two are opposing forces. The opposite is true. People of faith delve into science knowing that the cosmos was created by an intelligent and rational God and, therefore, the cosmos must be capable of being known by intelligence since it must be rational. For Christians, the cosmos does not contain mysteries but only questions which have not yet been answered.

Last week I was reading from a sermon by Saint Augustine entitled “On Pastors.” It is addressed to those who serve as pastors in the Church. In the portion I was reading, Saint Augustine was criticizing pastors who promise that the followers of Christ will enjoy earthly ease.

As you may imagine, the Cathedral rectory where I live along with two other priests, Msgr. William Skoneki, the Vicar General, and Fr. Victor Ingalls, the Vocations Director is usually a quiet and sedate home. There is certainly activity during office hours and when there are meetings, but for the most part it is not a noisy place.

There are times when we have the opportunity to change someone’s life. Perhaps this is the time for some people reading this article.

As we prepare to begin a new academic year in our Catholic schools, all of us are aware that COVID-19 remains a serious health issue. I wish to thank all who serve in our Catholic schools for their outstanding efforts last year in providing both excellent education and safety for our students. I have great confidence in them again this year.

Father James E. Coyle died on August 11, 1921, in Birmingham, Alabama. It is more correct to say that he was murdered. It is perhaps even more correct to say that he was martyred.

This year, 2021, has a special significance for our Archdiocese and for three Religious Orders whose members serve here. In 1911, 110 years ago, the Vincentian Order, officially known as the Congregation for the Mission, arrived in the Archdiocese of Mobile at the invitation of Bishop Allen. In 1921, 100 years ago, the Trinitarian Fathers and Brothers, officially known as the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, was established with the approval of Bishop Allen. In 1931, 90 years ago, the Trinitarian Sisters, officially known as the Missionary Servants of the Blessed Holy Trinity, submitted their request to the Vatican for official recognition as a Religious Order. (It would be granted in February 1932). The histories of these three Religious Orders are interwoven.

I have been asked what is my reaction to the controversy over the recent vote of the US bishops to draft a document on the Eucharist. My first reaction is that a long deep breath would be helpful.

Thank you, Alex, for your openness to the call of God to ordained ministry. Trusting in God, you said yes to God’s call and here at this Mass the Church confirms your decision by calling you to be ordained.

Beginning in grade school, we all were taught the 10 Commandments. These are God’s laws, given to Moses to be obeyed by God’s people. The commandments direct us not to lie, not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to kill, etc. We know God was serious about all the ones I just mentioned, but somehow we have the idea that God is not as serious about the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. However, the Bible makes it clear that God is as serious about the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath as He is about the commandment not to kill. God commands that we keep the seventh day as the day that we gather and worship Him.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, We are blessed by the dedicated ministry of our priests. Their priestly ministry blesses us in many ways. They have many responsibilities but first and foremost they must be men of prayer. Without the foundation of a prayer life and a relationship with the Lord, their ministry would become empty. In order to support their spiritual life, an annual three day priest’s retreat is conducted every year beginning on Memorial Day. It is held at Manresa Retreat House in Convent, Louisiana.

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 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)