A portion of Old Leeds Road in Irondale, Alabama, which is home to
the EWTN Global Catholic Network, is being officially renamed to honor
Mother Angelica, the foundress of the Catholic media network.In a ceremony on Friday morning, EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael Warsaw, as well as Irondale Mayor Tommy Joe Alexander, officially dedicated a portion of the road, renaming it “Mother Angelica Way.”
The ceremony, which took place across the street from EWTN’s exit onto the road, was attended by local leaders and community members as well as visitors and EWTN employees.
“This is a great honor to Mother Angelica,” Warsaw said.
“We want to thank Mayor Alexander, the Irondale City Council, City Clerk James D. Stewart, and Irondale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tellis Shoemaker for paying tribute to her in this way. EWTN has been pleased to make Irondale our home for over 35 years – and, with God’s grace, we intend to enjoy another 35 years in our city.”
EWTN’s founder, Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, passed away on Easter Sunday this year at the age of 92. She founded EWTN out of a garage in Alabama in 1981, and it has since become the largest religious media network in the world. Her work touched the lives of many people across the world.
The dedication took place right before the EWTN family celebration in Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday and Sunday, a free event open to the public which will focus on the life of Mother Angelica.
“This year’s EWTN Family Celebration is our first since the death of Mother Angelica and provides us with an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the extraordinary life of Mother and what she meant to her EWTN family and to the world," Warsaw said in a previous statement about the event.
The event will include talks from various EWTN personalities, and serves as a chance to remember the legacy of the foundress, Warsaw said.
“We will share our memories, and answer audience questions about the nun whose faithfulness to God left a legacy of which all of us can be proud.”