The Catholic Week

August 20, 2026 I recently moved my youngest son to Auburn to begin a new chapter in his life. As we unpacked boxes, settled into his new space and prepared for the moment when we would drive away, I was reminded of how quickly the years have passed. There is so much joy in watching our children grow into the people God created them to be. But there is also a moment when we realize that parenting requires us to let go, to entrust our children to God in a deeper way.

August 31, 2026 On August 14, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of St. Maximilian Kolbe. This priest and martyr was a prisoner in the concentration camp of Auschwitz. A group of 10 prisoners were condemned to death as punishment for the escape of a prisoner. With heroic virtue, St. Maximilian Kolbe offered his life in exchange for the father of a family.

August 27, 2026 By ROB HERBST The Catholic Week MOBILE — A steady stream of well-wishers waited to greet Msgr. Warren Wall following Mass on Aug. 15 at St. Ignatius Parish. And Msgr. Wall had time for everyone. It was a fitting scene for a priest whose ability to form friendships and welcome others was a recurring theme as family, friends and brother priests celebrated his 50 years of priesthood.

During the month of August, we celebrate International Youth Day. I have been blessed in my pastoral visits to parishes, schools and college campuses to interact with our youth and young adults. They have a great love for the Catholic Church and cherish the gift of our Catholic faith. That same spirit was reflected in Pope Leo’s video message regarding vocations to young Catholics attending SEEK 2026 in January.

For nearly 15 years, Archangel Radio has invited listeners to tune in on the radio. Now the Fairhope-based Catholic station is placing an even greater emphasis on reaching people through their smartphones. The station recently launched an updated mobile app, replacing one that dated back to the early days of smartphone apps. Executive Director Ellen Taylor said the upgrade was driven by changing listening habits and a desire to make Catholic content easier to access.

August 12, 2026 Information courtesy of Little Sisters of the Poor The Little Sisters of the Poor joyfully celebrated Sr. Cecilia Brotmeyer and her 50th jubilee of religious profession on Aug. 1 Msgr. William Skoneki celebrated the Mass. Sr. Cecilia first came to know the Little Sisters of the Poor as a child, visiting the home in New Orleans with her mother. She spent evenings and weekends with the residents, enjoying sing-alongs, simple conversations and the warmth of community.

A recent set of experiments at Columbia University seeking genetically to modify human embryos has rightly generated shock waves. Led by geneticist Dieter Egli, the research relied on a newer technology for modifying genes known as “base editing.” In contrast to earlier methods like CRISPR that typically cut and replace longer stretches of DNA, base editing, as summarized in news reports, “allows scientists to replace individual genetic letters more carefully.

As Catholics, we are meant to be constantly turning our hearts to the Lord. As parents, we are meant to be teaching our children how. That can feel impossible, especially in the summer. I know for us, it is even busier than the school year. Between camps, sports and swim team, we are constantly on the go, and we rarely keep the same schedule week to week. It can make it hard to find a rhythm, especially for prayer time.

By The Catholic Week Fr. Adrian L. Cook, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Mobile who served as pastor of St. Maurice Parish in Brewton and St. Elizabeth Parish in Greenville, died July 31. He was 80. Fr. Cook was born in Mobile on March 16, 1946. He attended Little Flower Catholic School and graduated in 1960. In the fall of that year, he entered seminary at St. Bernard's in Cullman. He later attended St. Mary's College in Kentucky and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Eucharistic Renewal initiative tells us that “through the Eucharist, God desires to heal, renew and unify the Church and the world.” As the Church grows in our loving devotion to the Eucharistic Lord, Jesus calls us also to grow in our loving devotion to the Mystical Body of Christ (the Church) and the world.