14 to be ordained permanent deacons on June 6

VATICAN CITY (OSV News) -- Pope Leo XIV published his landmark encyclical on artificial intelligence "Magnifica Humanitas" May 25, comparing the attempt to build an AI future that excludes God to the "Tower of Babel" and underlining the need to safeguard human dignity as it is "threatened by new forms of dehumanization."

Spring arrives with a certain energy: full calendars, celebrations and sacraments. The Easter season fills our churches with joy, while graduations, First Communions, weddings and the close of the school year fill our calendars with events. It is a beautiful time, but also a busy one. In the midst of it all, how do we continue to live out God’s call to Christian stewardship?

Have you ever been sick or badly injured? Did you feel lonely or discouraged? Most of us can relate to those feelings, even if not as intensely as those who suffer greatly or for long periods of time.

Una vez, cuando estaba en Milwaukee, Wisconsin, entré en una iglesia parroquial para rezar. Mientras rezaba, el músico de la parroquia se preparaba para tocar el piano. Pensé: «Qué bonito será tener una hermosa música espiritual como fondo para mi oración». Al instante siguiente, escuché la melodía que estaba tocando: no era un himno tradicional, sino la banda sonora de una película, concretamente el tema principal de «Los cazafantasmas». En su defensa, hay que decir que se acercaba Halloween. Aun así, me pregunté con curiosidad: «¿Qué es todo esto?». Mi curiosidad pudo más que yo y tuve que averiguar por qué se estaba tocando el tema de «Los cazafantasmas».

One time when I was in Milwaukee, Wis., I stopped into a parish church to pray. As I was praying, the parish musician was preparing to play the piano. I thought, this will be nice—to have beautiful spiritual music as a background for my prayer. In the next moment, I heard the tune he was playing—not a traditional hymn, but a movie soundtrack, in particular the theme from “Ghostbusters.” In his defense, Halloween was around the corner. Even then, I asked myself with curiosity, “What is this all about?” My curiosity got the best of me, and I had to find out why the “Ghostbusters” theme was being played.

Longtime McGill-Toolen Catholic High School President Fr. Bry Shields was honored May 1 with a schoolwide Mass and celebration in the school gymnasium recognizing 44 years of service to the McGill-Toolen community, including more than 36 years as president.

Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso announces the following have been called to be ordained permanent deacons on June 6, 2026 at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and we are called to be His faithful and loving flock. We are blessed to have such a shepherd, and we are blessed to be His flock, His disciples, His Church.

Fr. John Fletcher has been incardinated into the Archdiocese of Mobile, effective April 26, 2026.

Recently, I received a letter from a Confirmation candidate. She shared why she chose her Confirmation patron saint, St. Dymphna—the patron saint of mental health. This candidate has a brother who is affected by mental illness. In her loving concern and care for him, she is discerning a health care profession to assist others who also suffer from mental illness.

In a prayerful gathering marked by quiet reflection and hope, Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso led a healing prayer service April 21 at St. Mary Parish, offering the faithful an opportunity to bring their burdens before the Lord and encounter His healing grace.

The Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Residence in Mobile welcomed a special guest as Mother María del Monte Auxiliadora, mother general of the congregation, arrived April 21 as part of a two-week tour of homes in the Chicago Province.

So, Easter is over…or is it? A look at the Church’s liturgical calendar reveals something important. While Lent lasts for 40 days, the celebration of Easter continues for 50 days. That is not an accident. During Lent, we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Many of us give up something as a way of preparing our hearts. It is a meaningful and necessary season. But Easter lasts even longer.

El cuarto domingo de Pascua también se conoce como el Domingo del Buen Pastor. Jesús es nuestro Buen Pastor, y estamos llamados a ser su rebaño fiel y amoroso. Somos bendecidos por tener un pastor así, y somos bendecidos por ser su rebaño, sus discípulos, Su Iglesia.

Hace poco recibí una carta de una candidata a la Confirmación. En ella me contaba por qué había elegido a su santa patrona para la Confirmación, Santa Dymphna, la patrona de la salud mental. Esta candidata tiene un hermano que padece una enfermedad mental. En su amorosa preocupación y cuidado por él, está considerando dedicarse a una profesión de la salud para ayudar a otras personas que también sufren de enfermedades mentales. Me pareció muy apropiado que eligiera a Santa Dymphna como su santa patrona para la Confirmación.

April is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, serving as a vital reminder for everyone in the Archdiocese of Mobile to prioritize the protection and well-being of our youth. As Archbishop, I assure you that we as an archdiocese are vigilant in this priority. I have served on the USCCB Child and Youth Protection Committee, met with victim-survivors and their families, and collaborated with our own archdiocesan Office for the Protection of Minors and Adults (OPMA) to ensure that our parishes are in compliance with child and youth protection training. The OPMA is also audited each year for compliance by an independent firm hired by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Last year, a total of 7,877 minors were trained, and 1,302 background checks were conducted on new employees and volunteers. Additionally, the archdiocese conducted 303 group training sessions.

Stewardship in the Easter Season is a joyful response to the countless blessings God pours into our lives. As we celebrate the Resurrection, we are reminded that everything we have-our faith, our families, our time and our resources-are gifts flowing from Christ’s triumph over sin and death.

I taught for many years, mostly in Catholic high schools. There was one student I came to notice over time. He always seemed to be around when trouble was brewing. At first, that didn’t seem like a good thing. But with closer attention, I realized something else was going on. He was often the one stepping in—with parental permission—to help a classmate who had gotten into trouble.

April is recognized as Autism Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most recent data estimates that 1 in every 31 eight-year-olds in the United States is on the autism spectrum.