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Archbishop Thomas Rodi made his annual visit to St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church March 10.

During the 10:30 mass, Longtime Volunteer Tom Latino was honored for his service to the church. Additionally, Rodi was given a cake for his upcoming birthday.

Latino began volunteering at St. Robert’s soon after Fr. Cecil Spottswood arrived in Atmore.

According to Latino’s wife, Bonnie, during one of his early services, Spottswood revealed that he had been praying that God would send someone to help him in the parish.

“Later, he told Tom that as he spoke that day, his eyes were drawn to him,” Bonnie said. “And he knew then that Tom was the answer to his prayers.”

Bonnie said she believes Tom’s servant heart became turbo-charged at that moment.

“(March 10) was the columniation of Fr. Spottswood’s prayers,” she said.

Following the mass, a lunch was held in Boland Hall.

The Rev. Fr. Joseph Chacko is the pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church.