MOBILE — Staff, faculty and supporters of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School gathered April 11-12 to help set the school’s strategic mission over the next five years.

The Holy Spirit greatly blesses the Archdiocese of Mobile. Allow me to give two examples of God working powerfully in our midst.

Lent can certainly seem like a drudgery for much of the time. Some of us possibly fell a bit short on some of our Lenten disciplines and offerings—at least I did.

Spring Hill College and Rockhurst University announce a strategic alliance that will open new academic and professional pathways for their students.

Catholic Social Services is excited to introduce Steely Crutchfield, MSW, as the new program manager for Pregnancy and Adoption Services.

Spring is here, thank God we live in Alabama! Spring brings many familiar events or recollections of past celebrations. I would like to talk about one event dear to my heart, the Rite of Election.

How is giving up sweets, fast food or alcohol for 40 days supposed to draw us closer to Christ? I truly believe there are no coincidences. Our Lord is intentional in all that He does. Therefore, 40 days of Lent is the ideal amount of time to make a sacrifice that will help us grow closer to Him.

MOBILE — McGill-Toolen Catholic High School has announced that Abby Woodard has been appointed as assistant principal for academics beginning with the 2025-26 school year. She will succeed Lisa Robertson, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

More and more people within the Archdiocese of Mobile continue to enter the Catholic Church. For the second consecutive year, the archdiocese will have its largest group entering the Church since at least 2014. Numbers are not finalized, but 447 catechumens and candidates are expected to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church on the Easter Vigil on April 19.

On March 17, 1945, in the midst of World War II, a new ministry opened its doors in Mobile at the corner of Conti and South Claiborne streets.

Recently, the diary of a young North Korean soldier killed in Ukraine came to light. What attracted most commentary was the revelation that he and his unfortunate colleagues were being used, essentially, as bait for the deadly drones that hover over the battlefields of that beleaguered country. What I found even more desperately sad, however, was a more personal truth that was laid bare in the pages of that diary.

We all know that we have a new president and with that comes an entirely new approach to many issues. I would like to discuss one of the hot-button issues our nation is experiencing—immigration. I encourage everyone to read Archbishop Rodi’s column in this issue of The Catholic Week. I find it exceptional.

The first chief of police for the Mobile City Police now has proper memorialization at Catholic Cemetery of Mobile.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. As we begin the season of Lent, please allow me to share some thoughts with you.

"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 14:34). Love is the foundation of all acts of stewardship. Jesus showed us how to be good stewards by His actions. He fed the poor, visited the imprisoned, healed the sick and so much more. Jesus taught us how to love by living the seven Corporal Works of Mercy. We are called to imitate these charitable actions in our lives.

You may be aware that a Holy Year began on Christmas Eve, but for those of us who were/are not aware, we may be asking ourselves what a Holy Year is, and what does it mean for us?

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi announced on Feb. 20 that Gia S. Long has been appointed as the Executive Director for Financial Services for the Archdiocese of Mobile, beginning March 24.

MOBILE – The 94th annual Catholic Charities Appeal Sunday was Jan. 26. As of Friday, Feb. 28, a total of 6,457 generous donors helped us exceed our $4.7 million goal with pledges totaling $4,843,917. Thank you to everyone who made a pledge to help our neighbors in need.

I am always grateful to God for our wonderful priests. They are truly blessings to all of us as they minister to us. On Thursday, February 21, I was particularly proud of our priests. On their own initiative, and without encouragement from me, some of our priests banded together to celebrate Masses where they would pray together with our immigrant brothers and sisters during these times which are fraught with fear and anxiety for our immigrant neighbors. Masses were celebrated in Baldwin, Houston, Lee, Mobile, Montgomery, and Russell Counties. I joined in celebrating the Mass in Baldwin.

MOBILE — McGill-Toolen Catholic High School announced on Feb. 18 that Blake Stein will serve as the school’s next principal, beginning with the 2025-26 school year. Stein will succeed Principal Michelle Haas, who previously announced her retirement effective at the end of the school year. Stein has served as assistant principal at McGill-Toolen since 2009.