2025-05-02-eEdition

THE CATHOLICWEEK I MAY 2, 2025 PAGE 3 he term “Catholic imagi- nation” refers to the fact that we Catholics often have a unique way of looking at things and understanding things. As an example, I recall once being in a conversation with some non-Catholics discussing what our churches taught in matters of faith. It struck me that when the non-Catholics spoke of their “church” they meant the congregation to which they be- longed.They spoke about what their pastor preached and what he explained to them. However, as a Catholic, when I spoke about my “church” I meant the Church throughout the world in union with the Pope. It struck me that the Catholic imagination is different.When we speak about the “Church” we tend to mean the Universal Church in union with the suc- cessor of Peter. Catholics believe that the role of the Pope is of divine institution.The Bible tells us that Jesus had many disciples, the men and women who fol- lowed him. From His disciples, the Lord selected 12 men, whose names are recorded in the Gospels for a special ministry. From the 12, Jesus chose one apostle, Simon, for a ministry of leadership. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, which means rock, and said “upon this rock I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). After His resurrection, the Lord said to Peter: “Feed my lambs ...Tend my sheep” ( Jn 21). Jesus gave to Peter the ministry to encourage His followers in the faith and to be a source of unity. Peter became the Bishop of Rome and it was there that he was martyred. However, we do not believe the role of Peter died with Peter any more than the Church died with Peter. Jesus intended this role to continue in the Church.There- fore, whoever succeeds Peter as Bishop of Rome succeeds Peter in the ministry entrusted to Peter by the Lord Himself. We call the Bishop of Rome the “Pope,” a word which means “father.” Because of the special role of the Pope in the life of the Church, it affects the entire Church when the Pope dies. It is almost like a death in the family.This was demonstrated by the recent death of Pope Francis. So, we pause and we give thanks to God for the bless- ing that Pope Francis has been to the Church. Pope Francis devoted his life to serving God and God’s people. He truly had a pastoral heart. It was striking that when he was discharged from the hospital after spending 38 days of a critical illness, his doctors told the Pope he needed total rest. Instead, on HolyThursday, the Pope was visiting inmates at a Rome prison and on Easter he was riding through St. Peter’s Square greeting the thousands of pilgrims. He wanted to be with the people. He had a special ability to be aware of the needs of others. He wanted the Church to serve those who were overlooked, those who were struggling, those who felt cast off. He wanted us to listen to one another and to discern what the Lord was asking of us. He wanted us to be open to where the Lord was leading us. Every human organiza- tion must have structure, even the Church. Jesus Himself established a structure of the Church by selecting apostles and entrusting Peter his unique role. However, it is human nature that over time structures intended to serve people can atrophy into institutions more intent on self-preservation than on the original purpose of service.This can be true of the universal Church, dioceses, par- ishes and religious orders. Pope Francis repeatedly called all of us to serve and warned of the dangers of being overly insti- tutional. He gave the Church a human face.What a blessing he has been to us. We now entrust Pope Fran- cis to the loving and merciful embrace of our loving God. May he rest in peace. FROM THE ARCHBISHOP Pope Francis' passing like a death in the family T Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi MAY 4 - MAY 17 DAILY READINGS Sun., May 4 Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 Rev 5:11-14 Jn 21:1-19 or Jn 21:1-14 Mon., May 5 Acts 6:8-15 Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30 Jn 6:22-29 Tues., May 6 Acts 7:51—8:1a Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab Jn 6:30-35 Wed., May 7 Acts 8:1b-8 Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a Jn 6:35-40 Thurs., May 8 Acts 8:26-40 Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 Jn 6:44-51 Fri., May 9 Acts 9:1-20 Ps 117:1bc, 2 Jn 6:52-59 Sat., May 10 Acts 9:31-42 Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 Jn 6:60-69 Sun., May 11 Acts 13:14, 43-52 Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5 Rev 7:9, 14b-17 Jn 10:27-30 Mon., May 12 Acts 11:1-18 Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4 Jn 10:1-10 Tues., May 13 Acts 11:19-26 Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 Jn 10:22-30 Wed., May 14 Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Jn 15:9-17 Thurs., May 15 Acts 13:13-25 Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27 Jn 13:16-20 Fri., May 16 Acts 13:26-33 Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab Jn 14:1-6 Sat., May 17 Acts 13:44-52 Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Jn 14:7-14 Feast of St. Matthias May 14 Archbishop’s Schedule May 1-May 18 Thu.,May 1 6:00 p.m. McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, Founders Day Social Sat.,May 3 1:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall,Mobile, Annual Altar Servers Lunch 4:00 p.m. Mobile Marriott Hotel, Knights of Peter Claver Mass Sun.,May 4 10:00 a.m. St.Margaret Parish, Bayou La Batre, Mass 2:00 p.m. St.Margaret Parish, Bayou La Batre, Blessing of the Fleet Parade Followed by the Blessing at 3:00 p.m. Tue.,May 6 6:00 p.m. St.Mary Parish,Mobile,Mass and Confirmation Wed.,May 7 7:30 a.m. Archdiocesan Finance Council 1:30 p.m. Presbyteral Council Meeting 6:30 p.m. St. Dominic Parish,Mobile,Mass and Confirmation Thu.,May 8 Our Savior Parish,Mobile, Catholic Cup Challenge Thu.,May 8 6:30 p.m. St. Philip Neri Parish, Belle Fontaine, Mass and Confirmation Sat.,May 10 9:00 a.m. Spring Hill College,Mobile, Graduation 4:00 p.m. St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Atmore, Mass and Confirmation Sun.,May 11 10:30 a.m. St.Margaret of Scotland Parish, Foley, Mass and Celebration of Msgr.Ted Hay’s 70th Anniversary of Ordination Thu.,May 15 7:00 p.m. St.Michael Catholic High School, Fairhope, Graduation Fri.,May 16 7:00 p.m. Mitchell Center, University of South Alabama, Graduation for McGill-Toolen Catholic High School Sat.,May 17 11:00 a.m. Prince of Peace Parish, Celebration of Allen Memorial/St.Martin de Porres Hospital Sun.,May 18 St. Bede the Venerable Parish, 100th Anniversary Celebration APRIL 14 PROGRAM SCHEDULE www.catholicinamerica.com Have Americans Adopted Satanic Values? ...........................................................May 4 The Catholic Take on Superhero Movies ..............................................................May 11 Horoscopes, Tarot Cards, and Voodoo..................................................................May 18 Female Porn Addiction .....................................................................................................May 25 Papal Infallibility........................................................................................................................June 1 WJTC UTV 44 Mobile/Pensacola—6 am Sunday WTVY CW 3 Dothan—11 am Sundays