MOBILE, Ala. – In conjunction with his 75th birthday, Most Rev. Thomas J. Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile, has submitted his required retirement letter to Pope Francis.
In the Catholic Church, all bishops are required by Church Law to submit a letter of retirement to the Holy Father when they reach their 75th year. Archbishop Rodi remains the chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Mobile as the resignation letter does not automatically result in immediate retirement.
The letter does set into motion a process that will eventually lead to the retirement of Archbishop Rodi and the appointment of the next Archbishop of Mobile. There is no timetable as to when a successor will be appointed. Soon after an appointment is made, the new Archbishop of Mobile will be installed during a Mass at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile.
Archbishop Rodi has served the Archdiocese of Mobile since 2008, having succeeded Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb.
“Thank you to the people of the Archdiocese of Mobile. I have been blessed and continue to be blessed by serving the people of this wonderful archdiocese,” Archbishop Rodi said. “The Holy Spirit works powerfully in this archdiocese and works through the people of the archdiocese. It is a privilege to serve as shepherd of this archdiocese to praise God, to serve neighbor and together to grow in faith.”
The archdiocese encompasses 22,969 square miles and includes the lower 28 counties of the State of Alabama. The first parish in Mobile was founded on July 20, 1703. The Archdiocese of Mobile was established in 1825 as the Vicariate-Apostolic of Alabama and the Floridas in 1825 and became the Diocese of Mobile in 1829.
The name was changed to the Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham on July 9, 1954, and was redesignated on June 28, 1969. It was established as the Archdiocese of Mobile on Nov. 16, 1980. Archbishop Rodi is the second Archbishop of Mobile.
Below is information according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding archbishops:
How is a new archbishop chosen? Canon 401 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states that all bishops must submit their resignation to the Pope at the age of 75. The pope can accept their resignation at that time, or ask them to stay on until their successor is chosen. All aspects of the process of choosing a successor are supposed to be confidential, but there are some things that are known. The papal nuncio will present a list of candidates for investigation to (in the case of the U.S.) the Congregation of the Bishops in the Roman Curia. The congregation then reports to the pope, who makes the final decision.
Does the new archbishop have to be a bishop already? Though it happens very rarely, a newly-named archbishop need not be a bishop first. In this case, the new archbishop would need to be ordained as a bishop before he could be installed as an archbishop.
What’s the difference between an archbishop and a bishop? An archbishop is the head of diocese that is considered to be particularly important for some reason. The diocese is then designated as an “archdiocese” and its bishop is designated as an “archbishop.” In sacred matters, an archbishop is the equivalent of a bishop. An archbishop has no authority over the bishops in the other dioceses of his area, but the archbishop is the one who calls the bishops together to discuss issues and to remain in communication with one another.
JACKSON – Chancery staff members look up to the sky to see the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Though it was cloudy, many across the diocese got to observe the eclipse between 90 to 97% totality. (Photo by Berta Mexidor)solar eclipse – beginning, over jackson ms; april 8; 2024 (t.ma)solar eclipse – almost the end; over jackson ms; april 8; 2024 t.ma)
General chapter focuses on interculturality, collaborative Dominican future “For the life of the World”
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — During a week of prayerful conversation and contemplative deliberation, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield on April 5, 2024, affirmed a chapter statement in which they agreed to respond to the needs of the Church and the world by committing to intercultural living and participative Dominican governance as they look toward the next five years.
“Rooted in our prayer for the life of the world, and in our care for our common home, we are strengthened by our Associates and partners-in-mission to walk together into a future of authentic intercultural living,” the statement says.
To reach their goal, the sisters said “Together, we will” strengthen relationships within the congregation, welcome and support new members to the congregation and Dominican life, and build intercultural relationships “through study, engagement, and interaction.”
The hallmarks of the congregation’s ministry for the past two decades have been their commitment to antiracism and their response to the “Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor” through their efforts to live sustainably and encourage others in the care of Earth and her inhabitants.
“These efforts will continue, and will be strengthened by this evolution in our thinking,” explained Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, the current prioress general of the congregation. “We want witness to the good news of Jesus in our countries of origin—the United States and Peru—both burdened with cultural and political divisiveness, threats to democracy, and threats to the peace, tranquility, and flourishing of the human and the other-than-human beings with whom we share our homelands. Our desire to live interculturally—within our own community as Dominican Sisters who are Peruvian and U.S. citizens, and with the many diverse cultures in our countries—is a natural outgrowth of our antiracism work and, we believe, a powerful intercultural—and countercultural—gospel witness.
“It is for these reasons we say we want to ‘walk together into a future of authentic intercultural living’,” Sister Rebecca Ann said, referencing a line from the chapter direction statement.
The second major theme of their chapter deliberations was the future of Dominican governance within the Dominican family.
“We take the next steps into our congregational future, grounded in the freedom offered in our Constitutions. We are energized by participating in the emerging movements of governance within the Dominican family,” the statement says.
To fulfill their commitment to themselves, the broader Dominican family, and the People of God, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield have committed to the necessary study to move toward a collaborative form of Dominican governance.
“Creative conversations about how collaboration can reshape and renew the future of Dominican life have been going on for years,” said Sister Rose Miriam Schulte, OP, vicaress general. “We are now at a point in our journey when it is time to animate our words with actions that move us forward into the future together.”
The week-long general chapter consisted of two parts. During the 5-day chapter of life and mission the sisters synthesized an 18-month-long period of study, prayer, and contemplative dialogue into the 2024 General Chapter Direction Statement. The complete statement is here.
We, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, guided by the Holy Spirit, join with others to reimagine a future of promise and hope. Rooted in our prayer for the life of the world, and in our care for our common home, we are strengthened by our Associates and partners-in-mission to walk together into a future of authentic intercultural living. Trusting in the transformation already at work within us, we step into the challenges, riches, and grace of the unknown. Together, we will strengthen relationships within our congregation. Together, we will invite, welcome, and support new members to our congregation and to Dominican life. Together, we will build relationships with those of other cultures, through study, engagement and interaction. We take the next steps into our congregational future, grounded in the freedom offered in our Constitutions. We are energized by participating in the emerging movements of governance within the Dominican family. Together, we will engage in ongoing conversation and communal study in our effort to move toward a collaborative form of governance. Together, we will embrace individual and shared responsibility for participative Dominican governance. Compelled by our passion for mission, we respond, in Christ, for the life of the world.
During the 2-day chapter of elections the sisters elected a team of four leaders who will assume leadership on June 15, 2024. They are Sisters Mary Paul McCaughey, OP, prioress general-elect; Sister Joanne Delehanty, OP, vicaress general-elect, and second and third councilors-elect, Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP, and Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP. Their brief biographies are below.
Since 2017 Sister Mary Paul McCaughey, OP, has been a full-time faculty member at DePaul University, Chicago, where she teaches masters and doctoral students and coordinates the graduate studies and internship programs for Catholic Educational Leadership in the College of Education. 2008-2015 she was superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, the country’s second largest Catholic education system, and then 2015-2017 was appointed the Cardinal’s Advocate for Catholic Schools, where she was instrumental in helping to pass the Invest in Kids legislation at the Illinois Statehouse. Prior to that she spent many years in educational leadership at Sacred Heart Academy/Sacred Heart-Griffin, 1985-1991; and Marian Catholic High School, 1992-2008, where she served at various times as president and principal. She began her ministry in elementary school and high school teaching and also pursued doctoral studies in theology and social sciences at Chicago Theological Seminary. Sister Mary Paul was raised in Park Ridge and Olympia Fields, Illinois. She holds a certificate in clinical pastoral counseling, and master’s degrees in education, theology, and business and school administration.
Sister Joanne Delehanty, OP, a Chicago native, who was raised in Park Forest, Ill., was an elementary school teacher at parochial schools in Algonquin, Springfield, and Chicago from just after her profession 1969 through 1989, when she became a pioneer at St. Benedict the African Parish, a consolidation of eight parishes, in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. She served there as pastoral associate, religious education coordinator and director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults until 2021. In February 2022 she began her ministry as support staff at St. Bernard’s Hospital, Chicago. She has a masters in pastoral studies and an undergraduate degree in education.
Springfield native Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP, has, since 2019, been director of formation for the congregation and most recently for this past year, the director of formation for the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in Chicago, where she has facilitated the spiritual and professional growth of five novices from three Dominican congregations. She served the congregation as vocation director, 1998-2006, during which time she was also promoter of preaching and campus minister at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. She was coordinator of religious vocation ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago, 2007-2014. After her profession of vows in 1985 through 1994 she completed a bachelor’s degree then taught elementary school in Aurora, Ill., and at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hammond, La. Her bachelor’s degrees are in history and theology. She holds a certificate in preaching and a Master’s in theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology.
Born in Chicago and raised in Kankakee, Ill., Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP, previously served in congregation leadership, 2009-2019. After her profession of vows in 1981 she taught junior high school and high school math and computer at St. Christina Parish Chicago, St. Patrick School, Springfield, and Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, Ill. In 1996 she was missioned to Peru where she did pastoral work and helped to found a new mission in San Juan Bautista, Jarpa, where she served 2000-2004 and 2005-2006. She was director of formation for the sisters in Lima, 2006-2009. After completing her prior term of leadership, she began part time ministry at Bethany House of Hospitality, a home for women in the asylum process, in Chicago, where she is currently the director. Sister Kathlyn has a bachelor degree in math, a master in computers in education, and a certificate in cross-cultural ministry from Catholic Theological Union.
By Joanna Puddister King JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz gathered representatives from Deanery II for the third phase of the diocesan “Pastoral Reimagining” process on Monday, April 8 at St. Mary Basilica for a Mass of Thanksgiving for the process; as well as, time to meet to discuss challenges and the growing edges and diminishing areas of ministry locally within the deanery and within the diocese as a whole.
“This process is about how to we dig deeper; how to we strengthen who we are as local parishes and as a diocese,” said Bishop Kopacz.
“We can grow where it’s possible and we can be stronger.”
Bishop Kopacz also met with Deanery III at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Greenwood and Deanery I at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Madison earlier this month.
He invites those in deaneries that have yet to meet, to come participate in a special Mass of Thanksgiving. The Masses are as follows: Deanery V in the Golden Triangle area on Monday April 22 at 12 p.m. at Immaculate Conception West Point; Deanery V on Monday, April 22 at 5 p.m. at St. James Tupelo; Deanery VI on Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at St. Therese Kosciusko; and Deanery IV on Tuesday, April 30 at 5 p.m. at St. Mary Batesville.
NATCHEZ – Bishop Joseph Kopacz continues listening across the diocese for the Pastoral Reimagining process that has been taking place since Pentecost 2023. On Monday, April 8, he met with stakeholders from parishes making up Deanery II at St. Mary Basilica. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)
METAIRIE, La. – On March 11, Isabel and Abygail Roberts of St. Jude parish in Pearl, traveled to St. Benilde Church in Metairie, Louisiana to visit the relic of St. Jude that has been on tour across the country. (Photo by Lauren Roberts)
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Sunday, May 19, Parish Picnic, including cookout and games for the whole family. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation School, Production of “Peter Pan” by middle school students, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. and April 26 at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5 adults; $3 students (3-18 years); under three years old – free. The 9:30 a.m. showing on April 26 is free and open to the public. Details: school office (662) 328-3379.
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Charity Tea, Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. in the parish hall. Cost: adults $25; children 10 and under $15. Tickets available after Mass on April 13 and 14. Limited number available. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman School, Annual Draw Down, Saturday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Grand prize $5,000; tickets $100 (admits 2), second chance insurance $20. Enjoy great food, entertainment, silent auction, door prizes and more. Casual attire. Details: contact Shae at (601) 351-5197 or stbdrawdown@gmail.com.
JACKSON – Capitol building, Working Together Mississippi Rally for Full Medicaid Expansion, Tuesday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To see the full schedule and register to attend visit: https://bit.ly/3U8yFOv.
MADISON – St. Francis, Save the dates: Vacation Bible School – June 17-20; Cajun Fest – Sunday, May 19. MADISON – St. Joseph School, “Bruin Burn” 5k Run/Walk and fun run, May 11 at 8 a.m. Early bird registration $25 for 5k or $10 for fun run through April 25. Register at https://raceroster.com/events/2024/87878/bruin-burn. Details: email bruinburn@gmail.com.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Blood Drive, Tuesday, April 16, from 12:45-5:45 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
St. Mary Basilica, Life Line Screening, Friday, April 19 at the Family Life Center. Advanced ultrasound technology looks inside your arteries for signs of plaque buildup. To register for an appointment and receive a special discount, call 1-800-640-6307 or visit llsa.social/hc.
NATCHEZ – Cathedral School, Cajun Countdown, Friday, May 3. Details: eks_46@yahoo.com or sarahc@terralriverservice.com.
PEARL – St. Jude, Spring Fair, Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parish hall. This free event will feature a variety of handmade items, homemade food, raffle and more. All proceeds will benefit the St. Jude’s Artisan Guild ministry. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
SENATOBIA – St. Gregory, Youth United for Christ Spring Fun Event, Sunday, April 21, begins with Mass at 3 p.m. Join youth from the six parishes of Northwest Mississippi for a fun day of sports, games and prizes. Snacks and dinner provided. Details: (662) 562-5318.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT NATCHEZ – 2nd annual Believe Conference, April 19-21, 2024. Featured speakers are Anne Trufant, Catholic speaker and founder of The Mission on the Mountain; Barbara Heil, founder of From His Heart Ministries; and Joanne Moody, minister author, and founder of Agape Freedom Fighters. Cost: $100 for weekend; $50 for students. Lunch included on Saturday. Details: visit https://www.themissiononthemountain.com.
NEW ORLEANS – Directed Retreat with the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center at the Cenacle on Lake Pontchartrain, June 28-July 3. Cost $500 –includes lodging, meals and personal spiritual director. To register call (504) 861-3254. Details: for more information call Melinda at (601) 597-7178.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist,” Thursdays, April 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; and June 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. How do these Jewish roots help us, to understand his real presence in the Eucharist? Facilitator is Don Coker. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
NOW HIRING FLOWOOD – St. Paul Early Learning Center is now hiring a director. Ages for the Center cover infants through Pre-K5. Qualifications include bachelors degree in education or similar; experience in early childhood development; spiritual and instructional leadership skills; experience with school finance/budgeting requirements. Must maintain a personal philosophy, values and lifestyle consistent with the tenents of the Catholic faith. Email letter of interest and resume to finance@spaulcc.org.
DIOCESE – Each month, the Office of Catholic Education holds a Rosary in thanksgiving for Catholic education in the diocese. Join them via Zoom on Wednesday, April 3 at 7 p.m. Check the diocese calendar of events for the Zoom link. Join us!
