2024-03-08-eEdition

Volume 90, Number 05 Official Publication of the Archdiocese of Mobile MARCH 8, 2024 C ൺඍඁඈඅංർ W ൾൾ඄ Tඁൾ CATHOLIC SCHOOLS I NSIDE T HIS W EEK @mobilearchdiocese Follow: Visit: mobarch.org ByThe CatholicWeek MONTGOMERY – Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School announced that Karen Lathram will serve as principal of the Holy Spirit Elementary Campus beginning with the 2024-25 school year. Lathram is no stranger to the Holy Spirit Campus. She is currently serving as the school’s assistant principal and has served as a second-grade teacher since 2017.While at Holy Spirit, Lathram provided Faith A GROWING CHURCH By ROBHERBST The Catholic Week ArchbishopThomas J. Rodi greeted hundreds last month who are seeking entry into the Catholic Church, maybe more than he ever has. Numbers are not finalized, but Archdiocese of Mobile Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life, Pat Arensberg, said 355 catechumens and candi- dates are expected to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church during Easter Vigils on March 30. That would be the largest group since at least 2014. CATHOLIC CHARITIES $4.7 million goal reached; participation goal fell short MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC Lathram named next principal at Holy Spirit KAREN LATHRAM See HOLY SPIRIT, Page 15 Largest group entering Church in Archdiocese since at least 2014 By SHANNON ROH For The Catholic Week MOBILE –The 93rd annual Catholic Charities Appeal Sunday was Jan. 28. As of March 1, a total of 6,582 generous donors helped exceed the Appeal goal of $4.7 mil- lion, with pledges totaling $4,720,705. A detailed report by parish is on page 2. While the financial goal was exceeded, the participation goal of 100% participa- tion was not. It is remarkable to exceed the financial goal with participation from only one-fourth of the households in the archdiocese.Their generosity is inspira- tional. It is not too late to be a part of this See pages 10-11 and Facebook.com/mobilearchdiocese for more photos Seminarians take important steps Page 20 Photos by Rob Herbst/The Catholic Week ABOVE: Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi greets John Forrest, a catechumen from Holy Spirit Parish in Montgomery, during a Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion liturgy at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Auburn on Feb. 17. BELOW: Ethan Ward places his hand on the shoulder of Atticus Wilson, a catechumen from St. Martin of Tours Parish in Troy, during a Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion liturgy at St. Columba Parish in Dothan on Feb. 15. See GROWTH, Page 15 See APPEAL, Page 15 ACYC Page 19