We recently celebrated the installation of Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso. There are many similarities to the transition of authority in the Catholic Church and the transition of authority in the secular realm.

Catholic stewardship is more than the sharing of our time, talent and treasure today. It is a way of life that acknowledges that everything we have is a gift from God, entrusted to us to be used wisely for His glory and for the service of others. One of the most enduring ways Catholics can live this call is through planned giving, which allows our generosity to extend beyond our lifetime and bless our beloved parish, school or ministry for generations to come.

Siempre tengo presente el inicio de un nuevo año escolar: la administración, el profesorado y a las familias preparando a sus hijos para el año que comienza. Disfruto bendiciendo las mochilas de los estudiantes, así como el bendecir personalmente a nuestros estudiantes, sus familias, la administración, los educadores, los voluntarios, y a todos en la Iglesia que apoyan la misión de nuestras escuelas, porque es la misión misma de Jesús.

I am always mindful of the beginning of a new school year -­ school administration, faculties and families preparing their children for the year ahead. I enjoy blessing students' backpacks, as well as personally blessing our students, their families, administration, educators and volunteers—all in the Church who support the mission of our schools, for it is the very mission of Jesus.

With an aim to being of service to the community as well as provide audiences with something not often heard, the Southern Echo Chorale was formed.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry declare a state of emergency in child and adolescent mental health.” It’s an attention-getting headline in the aftermath of a pandemic that left more than 140,000 children in the U.S. without a primary or secondary caregiver.

Oftentimes, we don’t think about Southern Hospitality and Catholicism in the same sentence, but it works, right? In the south we can drive for miles through beautiful, rural countryside and not see one Catholic church in the entire stretch; however, the concept of hospitality in general is not foreign to our faith in the slightest! In this season of change for our Archdiocese of Mobile, it is important that we reflect on how important it is to make people feel welcome!

When I heard the news that Bishop Rivituso was appointed as the Archbishop of Mobile, my first response was true happiness for him and for all of you. Then my mood turned to sadness for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and myself. As they say, “Our loss is your gain.”

Blessings and gratitude. These are the two words that come to mind as I reflect on my recent episcopal appointment to serve as Archbishop of Mobile

Editor’s note: Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso talked with Rob Herbst, editor of “The Catholic Week,” a few weeks prior to his Sept. 3 installation. He discussed his history and also looked to the future. The following is an edited version of that interview.

Before Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi hired me as the director for the Office for Evangelization and Family Life, I was a teacher for Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School for my first year of teaching theology and I then taught for McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. I loved teaching and I still miss it.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi himself lamented that “Many people will look upon a bishop as we might look upon a political leader.”

As Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi prepares to retire after serving 17 years as Archbishop of Mobile, he recently sat down with Rob Herbst, editor of “The Catholic Week,” and reflected on his time as Archbishop of Mobile as well as the immediate future.

When Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi was appointed to lead the Archdiocese of Mobile in 2008, he brought a clear vision for faithful stewardship rooted in prayer, service and sacrificial giving. Over the course of his 17 years as our archbishop, Archbishop Rodi shaped a culture of stewardship that became central to the identity and mission of the archdiocese.

It’s that time again, high school students are preparing to begin a new academic semester. It is really a wonderful opportunity to start anew. There are no bad grades to overcome, and every student has a blank slate. Not only is this the case with regard to grades, it is also a time to reinvent the kind of student you will be and who you will spend time with. What will you do with this new beginning?

During the past 17 years I have had the privilege of sharing some thoughts with the readers of “The Catholic Week.” However, this is my final article as Archbishop of Mobile, as I approach my retirement and we await the arrival of our new wonderful archbishop. There are many things I would like to share, but it is best to be brief. Allow me to express some heartfelt thoughts.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi blessed St. Ignatius Catholic School's new Early Learning Center on Aug. 12.

Faculty members from Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Mobile took part in an orientation prior to the start of the school year at St. Dominic Catholic School in Mobile and Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Holy Spirit Campus.

Congratulations to two young women who were raised in the Archdiocese of Mobile and have taken their next steps in their vocations.

Congratulations to five Archdiocese of Mobile seminarians who were admitted to candidacy on Aug. 12.