2024-03-08-eEdition

MARCH 8, 2024 THE CATHOLIC WEEK PAGE 15 Archbishop Rodi person- ally greeted catechumens and candidates while presiding over Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion litur- gies in Dothan, Auburn and Mobile in February. The ceremony is a final step for catechumens and candi- dates preparing to enter the Church. Catechumens are unbaptized and will receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation during the Easter Vigil at their respective parish. Not only is this the larg- est group of catechumens and candidates in at least a decade, but it’s also another year of growth. According to Arens- berg, only 157 entered in 2020 as the impact of COVID-19 began. Numbers for 2021 were unavailable and then an uptick began as 205 people entered the Church in 2022 and 264 people entered in 2023. This year’s number is a big jump and Arensberg was hesi- tant to read too much into it. “I’m cautiously optimistic,” Arensberg said. “Is this the result of people who had been hunkering down (because of COVID-19) and are now coming out? Or is a movement of the Holy Spirit happening? It’s a positive sign, but it’s a little early to make a definitive statement.” One reason numbers may remain up, Arensberg said, is because Catholics are not as hesitant to discuss the faith. Few people who enter the Church do so without any kind of personal invitation or encouragement. “I think Catholics are becoming more comfortable with evangelizing,” Arensberg said. “I think there are so many resources for people to un- derstand the faith better that people are less afraid to talk about the faith because if asked a question, they’ll know where to find the answer.” He added: “(Evangelizing) is what it comes down to. No matter what the Church does, when people are out evangeliz- ing and talking about the faith and sharing their encounter with Christ, that makes a dif- ference.” No matter the final num- bers, there are a few notable trends based on attendance at recent Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion liturgies. The Church continues to get more diverse.The first and second reading at this year’s liturgy in Auburn were spoken in Spanish and Korean — not English — in order to min- ister to the large number of Spanish-speaking and Korean- speaking catechumens and candidates. Young people are also enter- ing the Church. “Maybe part of it is the darker the culture gets, the more effective our evangeliza- tion becomes and the Gospel stands out,” Arensberg said. “The darker the culture gets the more there’s an attraction to the culture of life.” As the Easter Vigil nears, please pray for and welcome the catechumens and candi- dates at your parish. A special thank you goes out to all sponsors for playing an important role in their faith journey. Formation to her students each year as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of First Com- munion and Reconciliation. She and her husband Othni have two children, Christopher and Anna, who are a Montgomery Catholic graduate and a current student, respectively. “Our community will be so blessed by Karen in the role of principal,” said MCPS Presi- dent Justin Castanza. “I am so grateful to Nancy Foley for years of dedication and service to Montgomery Catholic and a beautiful career of more than four decades. As we say good- bye to Nancy at the end of the school year, I am pleased to know we will continue to be in capable hands and welcome Karen Lathram to the team. Faith is at the forefront of our mission, and Karen is ready to carry that standard.” Lathram has nearly 25 years of Catholic education experi- ence. She began her career in January 1998 and taught first and second grade at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Tuscaloosa and Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School in Birmingham prior to arriving at Holy Spirit. Before begin- ning her career,Mrs. Lathram received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Edu- cation from Auburn University in 1997. She later attained her Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama in 1999. “I am humbled and excited about moving forward as the next principal of the Holy Spirit Elementary Campus,”Lathram said.“I have been a lifelong ben- eficiary and supporter of Catholic education as a student, a parent, and a teacher. I am a firm believer in the mission of educating our children’s souls,minds, and bod- ies.As Montgomery Catholic celebrates its first 150 years, I look forward to serving in this role and helping to build the founda- tion for the next 150 years.” Lathram will join the administrative staff with School President Justin Cas- tanza, Middle and High School Principal, Eileen Aaron, and St. Bede Elementary Principal, Laurie Gulley. Holy Spirit From page 1 Growth From page 1 appeal that funds more than 30 ministries that serve those in need in Central and Southern Alabama. The 2024 Catholic Chari- ties Appeal theme was inspired by St. John, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The ministries supported by the Catholic Charities Appeal serve the needs of the poor, the weak and those suffering men- tally, physically and spiritually throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile.The services offered by these ministries are only possible because of your generosity to the Catholic Charities Appeal. Thank you to everyone who has already made a pledge to help our neighbors in need. If you have not yet participated, I invite you to make your pledge today to the Catholic Charities Appeal. No amount it too small or too large, please give what you can afford.Text CCA to 91999 to make your gift online or mail your gift to Catholic Charities: PO Box 230, Mobile, AL 36601. Together we can make a difference and show God’s love to those in need. Catholic Charities blessed with dedicated volunteers The many teams of dedi- cated volunteers are essential to the Catholic Charities Appeal. The Parish Chairs and their team of volunteers sacrifice countless hours to sort pledge envelopes and follow up with parishioners who have not yet made their pledge.Thank you to all the parish volunteers for your dedication to Catholic Charities. We are also blessed with a handful of exceptional volun- teers who dedicate weeks of their time here in our office sorting, counting, recount- ing, and preparing deposits so that your donations get to the ministries that need them as quickly as possible.These faithful volunteers show up day after day and donate their time until every pledge is deposited, entered and alphabetized.The development office is made up of only three: Michelle Knizley, Kasey Keeney and myself.We could not do this alone.We are so grateful for all these amazing volunteers! Appeal From page 1 Photo courtesy of Shannon Roh Catholic Charities volunteers joining Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi include (from left) Bill Mansfield, Mary Ann Stevens, Susan Cunningham and Sandra Ramos.