2024-11-29-eEdition

PAGE 16 THE CATHOLIC WEEK NOVEMBER 29, 2024 A RCHDIOCESAN BRIEFS Statement regarding the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and Mass obligation With consultation from the Archdiocese of Mobile Presbyteral Council, Arch- bishop Thomas J. Rodi has dispensed the faithful of the Archdiocese of Mobile from the obligation to attend Mass on Monday, December 9, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the same time, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the Archdiocese of Mobile’s patronal feast and Archbishop Rodi has asked the people of the Archdiocese of Mobile to pray that Mary will intercede for our country. In par- ticular, Archbishop Rodi also encourages Catholics to attend Mass on Decem- ber 9 and to pray the Rosary. Retirement Fund for Religious special collection scheduled for Dec. 7-8 at archdiocesan parishes The National Religious Retirement Office has announced the annual Retire- ment Fund for Religious collection is scheduled in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile on the weekend of Dec. 7-8. Last year, parishioners in the archdiocese contributed $59,356.37 to the collection. Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests have often worked for little to no pay, leaving them with limited retirement savings. Today, religious communities face the challenge of caring for an aging population, with more than 20,000 religious being past the age of 70. The annual cost of their care exceeds $1 billion, highlighting the critical need for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Since its inception in 1988, the collection has raised over $1 billion. People of Archdiocese of Mobile donated $268,061 to aid victims of recent hurricanes The people of the Archdiocese of Mobile displayed their generosity as they do- nated $268,061 to the recovery of the victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Special collections were held at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile. The hurricanes caused an estimated $300 billion in damage in the southeast.