2024-11-15-eEdition

PAGE 2 THE CATHOLIC WEEK NOVEMBER 15, 2024 By ROB HERBST The Catholic Week The Cathedral-Basilica of the Immacu- late Conception will embrace an Advent and Christmas tradition that dates to the 19th century. Members of the Cathedral’s choir, joined by choir members from other local churches will host the “Festival of Lessons and Carols” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 — the First Sunday of Advent.The public is en- couraged to attend and there is no admis- sion. It is expected to last about an hour. The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song.Those in atten- dance “listen to nine Scripture lessons that recount the Fall, the promise of a Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. Each lesson is followed by a carol or other song that reflects on the lesson’s message, along with a brief prayer," according to the USCCB. Joseph O’Shea encountered the Festival of Lessons and Carols when singing with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.The Cathe- dral choir member is now in residence with the Pensacola Opera and spearheaded the effort to have the Festival of Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral. “Doing things like this can elevate and diversify the Catholic experience in our com- munity and can bring more liveliness to our faith in the community, doing something a little bit different,”O’Shea said.“I think I just I thought it would be really nice for the Ca- thedral of the Archdiocese of Mobile to take leadership on introducing that liturgy.” The Festival of Lessons and Carols has an Anglican origin. Archbishop Edward White Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, began the first Festival of Lessons and Car- ols at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, Eng- land, as a step to keep people in churches on Christmas Eve in 1880. According to O’Shea, the service is similar to a Vespers liturgy and includes the Liturgy of the Hours when done in the Roman Catholic tradition. “It's obviously still very Anglican, but we will try to incorporate some more Catholic elements into it,” he said, “and show off the Catholic Church to the community.” He added: “We have a beautiful church and we have a beautiful faith and we need to show it off. Music is one way that this is done.” The Office for the Protection of Minors and Adults Reports of abuse should be made to civil authorities in your county. If the report involves a member of the clergy, Archdiocesan employee or lay volunteer, please also notify the Office for the Protection of Minors and Adults at 251-434-1559. If the report of abuse involves a bishop, please notify the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service at ReportBishopAbuse.org or 1-800-276-1562. The Archdiocesan Child Protection Policy can be found at mobarch.org/childprotection Baldwin/Escambia Deanery St. Lawrence Parish—( 2 nd Tuesday of most months; 6:30 p.m. starting in 2025) No December training; 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 Mobile Deanery St. Dominic Parish—( 4 th Wednesday of most months; 6:30 p.m. starting in 2025) 7 p.m. Nov. 20; No December training; 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 Montgomery Deanery Montgomery Catholic High—( 4 th Wednesday of most months) 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20; No December training; 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 Dothan Deanery Training sessions are conducted on an “as needed” basis. Contact your pastor in the Dothan area for more information. The Catholic Week NOVEMBER 15, 2024 Volume 90, Number 23 Official Publication of the Archdiocese of Mobile Published since 1934 The Catholic Week (USPS 094-660) is published bi-weekly by the Archdiocese of Mobile 356 Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 Periodical Postage Paid at Mobile, Alabama —POSTMASTER— Send address changes to: The Catholic Week, PO Box 349, Mobile, AL 36601 Mobile P.S. Form 3541-N —PUBLISHER— Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi —EDITOR— Robert W. Herbst 251-434-1544 rherbst@mobarch.org —ADVERTISING— Claudia T. Sims 251-434-1543 csims@mobarch.org —OFFICE HOURS— 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday —PHONE NUMBERS— 251-432-3529 FAX: 251-434-1547 —OFFICE ADDRESS— 356 Government Street Mobile, Alabama —MAILING ADDRESS— PO Box 349 • Mobile AL 36601 —WEBSITE— mobarch.org/thecatholicweek —ONLINE EDITION— www.mobarch.org —SUBSCRIPTIONS— Claudia T. Sims 251-434-1543 csims@mobarch.org $22 out-of-parish, and $24 out-of-state. Address all subscription correspondence to The Catholic Week , PO Box 349, Mobile AL 36601. When changing address, renew- ing or inquiring about a subscrip- tion, customer should include a recent address label with old ad- dress and new address and allow four weeks for address change to take effect. DEADLINES for NOVEMBER 29, 2024 News copy and photos: NOVEMBER 18, 2024, NOON Advertising Camera-ready Ads: NOVEMBER 18, 2024, NOON CATHEDRAL-BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Ushering in Advent with Scripture, song Cathedral hosting 'Festival of Lessons and Carols' at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS When : 7 p.m. Dec. 1 Where: Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Mobile Admission: Free By GINA CHRISTIAN OSV News The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling for prayer and unity, following the nation's general election that saw Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump defeat Demo- cratic nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris to win another term as president. In a Nov. 6 statement, USCCB president Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services said, "I congratulate President-elect Trump, as well as the national, state and local officials who campaigned to represent the people. Now, we move from campaigning to governing." The archbishop said that Americans are "fortunate to live in a democracy," and that "we rejoice in our ability to transition peacefully from one government to the next." He stressed that "the Catho- lic Church is not aligned with any political party, and neither is the bishops' conference. "No matter who occupies the White House or holds the majority on Capitol Hill, the Church's teachings remain unchanged, and we bishops look forward to working with the people's elected representa- tives to advance the common good of all," said Archbishop Broglio. "As Christians, and as Americans, we have the duty to treat each other with charity, respect, and civility, even if we may disagree on how to carry out matters of public policy." The archbishop added, "As a Nation blessed with many gifts we must also be concerned for those outside our borders and eager to offer assistance to all." Archbishop Broglio con- cluded his statement by inviting people to "pray for President- elect Trump, as well as all lead- ers in public life, that they may rise to meet the responsibilities entrusted to them as they serve our country and those whom they represent." PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION USCCB president calls for prayer, unity Bob Roller/OSV Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a USCCB statement Nov. 6 calling for prayer and unity following the results of the presidential election.