2025-05-02-eEdition

PAGE 16 THE CATHOLICWEEK I MAY 2, 2025 By ROB HERBST The Catholic Week How does one parish such as St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Auburn accomplish bringing in 72 catechumens and candidates into the Catho- lic Church? Pastor Msgr. Michael Farmer chalks a big part of it up to “good ole Catholic Cateche- sis.” “Just tell folks what you believe and state it with convic- tion and charity and invite people to come and look,”Msgr. Farmer explained. “I (also) firmly believe folks are looking for greater community, but a liturgy not dependent upon a certain personality. Basically, we do what the Church asks and (we) evangelize.” St. Michael the Archangel is one of the many “success stories” in the Archdiocese of Mobile this year. A reported 447 catechumens and candi- dates were received into full communion with the Catholic Church during the Easter Vig- ils at parishes throughout the archdiocese. With 1,400 families regis- tered at the parish, according to Msgr. Farmer, and 5,000 Catholic students at Auburn University, St. Michael the Archangel Parish is among the biggest parishes in the archdio- cese. As evidence of its 72 new members, it’s also a growing parish. And it’s also a diverse parish, with Korean, Hispanic and Nigerian families, as well as international students. But all are attracted to the same thing, Msgr. Farmer said. “Remarkably, it simply works if you are convicted and think the Mass has something to offer people regardless of their ‘ethnic’ background,” he said. “Personally, the word ‘ethnicity’ scares me. You can quickly start labeling people and painting them in a corner.” Evangelization does come in many layers, Msgr. Farmer explained. For example, “our Korean community at St. Michael is vibrant and clearly understands the New Evangelization of reaching out to the greater Korean community in the area and within their own families,” he said. Members of the Hispanic community also reach out to others. The parish and Auburn Catholic Campus Ministry do “remarkable” work reaching out to international and local students, offering hospitality, connection and invitations. St. Michael also offers the “One Cup Ministry,” an international parish outreach to international families to actively be members of the parish. “Our Catholic community is visible and proud of our faith, so we are engaging with greater number of people and families each week,”Msgr. Farmer said. Increased numbers enter- ing the Church can cause some challenges for the parish’s OCIA program, although Msgr. Farmer said the par- ish has adjusted to increased numbers. However, he would like to a year-round opportunity for those entering the Church in- stead of just the traditional Sep- tember start time for OCIA. “The Catholic Church loves programs and set dates, but I do not think you can just tell folks to wait until September, when they are ready to convert in February,” he said. “Most of our participants in OCIA have already read and prayed about becoming Catho- lic, even before they began our program.” CONTACT CLAUDIA DELMAS TO ADVERTISE IN THE CATHOLIC WEEK CSIMS @MOBARCH.ORG OR 251-434-1543 St. Michael Parish welcomes 72 into Church ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH, AUBURN Photo by Rob Herbst/The Catholic Week Msgr. Michael Farmer, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Auburn, anoints Rabisha Ranan during the Easter Vigil at St. Michael on April 19. Ranan was one of 72 catechumens and candidates from St. Michael the Archangel Parish received into the Church during the par- ish's Easter Vigil.