To the people of the Archdiocese of Mobile

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.
I ask for your support of our priests by understanding that they will be absent from the parishes from Monday, May 29 until Thursday, June 1. All archdiocesan priests and many religious order priests will participate in this retreat. It is vitally important that they be present on this annual retreat. In many parishes this will mean that Masses will not be celebrated on those days.
Deacons will be available to conduct funeral services for those who may wish to celebrate funerals of loved ones during these days rather than waiting for the end of this annual retreat. Deacons and other parishioners will conduct Communion Services in many of our parishes during these retreat days.
Thank you for your understanding. Your encouragement of our priests is gratefully appreciated by them and by me.    
May God bless each of you.

      
         Sincerely in the Lord,




Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi
             Archbishop of Mobile