MARCH 14, 2025
mississippicatholic.com
Walking together in faith – Father Albeen celebrates 25 years of priesthood BY JOE LEE
MADISON – Father Albeen Reddy Vatti looked totally at home as he mingled with guests in the St. Francis of Assisi family life center in Madison on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Knowing the celebration, which featured a gourmet meal served by the St. Francis Knights of Columbus, would last well into the evening, he happily made time for everyone who wanted a handshake, hug, or selfie. “As a priest serving at St. Francis,” he said, “I have learned not to walk before the people or behind the people, but to walk together with people.” That approach is a big reason why Father Albeen isn’t just considered a beloved priest. He’s practically family as far as parishioners are concerned. In nearly ten years at the Madison parish, he has watched with pride as youth group kids he mentored at the beginning are now active members and starting families. “One of my proudest achievements,” he said, “is strengthening and encouraging the parish ministry and parish lay leaders who give their time, talents and treasures so generously.” “Father Albeen is compassionate and MADISON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz gives a final blessing to Father Albeen Vatti (right) and his childhood
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friend Father Shobhan Singareddy serving in the Diocese of Birmingham. Many gathered for a special Mass at St. Francis of Assisi for Father Albeen’s 25th anniversary as a priest. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
Pope, in short audio message, thanks people for their prayers BY CINDY WOODEN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – On his 21st day in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, Pope Francis recorded a 27-second audio message thanking people for their prayers. Played before the nightly recitation of the rosary in St. Peter’s Square March 6, the pope said, “I thank you from the bottom of
my heart for your prayers for my health from the square; I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.” The message in Spanish was recorded in the hospital earlier in the day, the Vatican press office said, offering no other details. The 88-year-old pope, who has been battling double pneumonia, had obvious difficulty speaking in the recording, but it was the first time the public had heard his voice since he was hospitalized Feb. 14 for bronchitis and difficulty breathing. The rosary was led by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of
Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, who announced the recording as “good news, a beautiful gift.” The hundreds of people in the square applauded before and after listening to the pope. Shortly before the audio was released, the pope’s doctors had said in their evening bulletin that Pope Francis’ condition remained stable, and he continued his respiratory and physical therapy “with benefit.” He had no fever, no episodes of “respiratory insufficiency” and his blood tests and “hemodynamic parameters,” which measure heart health, “remained stable,” the doctors said in the bulletin released by
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Mardi Gras 8 Diocese schools celebrate Mardi Gras with events
Parish Anniversary 14 Immaculate Heart of Mary in Houston celebrates 70th
Youth 22 Youth photos from around the diocese