Father Jerabek became Pastor & Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Paul on July 1, 2016 and also currently serves as Chaplain for BHM Catholic Campus Ministry and St. Stephen’s Chapel, Chancellor of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama, Judicial Vicar of the Diocese, and a Papal Missionary of Mercy.Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on September 6, 1978, he lived there until he moved to Florida briefly in July 1998, before moving to Birmingham in 1999 to work at a local bank. While in Birmingham, he began to practice his baptismal faith and discern a call to the priesthood. After leaving the corporate world to complete university studies, he was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Birmingham by Bishop David E. Foley, D.D., attending Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Bishop Foley ordained him a transitional deacon on March 3, 2007 at Immaculate Conception Church of Corpus Christi Parish in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
On June 7, 2008 he was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of Saint Paul by Bishop Robert J. Baker, S.T.D. Father Jerabek’s first assignment was at Holy Spirit Parish in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was Parochial Vicar, with particular responsibility for the parish’s large Hispanic community. During his first year he also covered English and Spanish Masses once a month at Our Lady of the Valley in Fort Payne, which at that time did not have its own pastor. He was also assigned as a Teacher, Associate Chaplain, and then Chaplain of the then-Catholic High School (now St. John Paul II Catholic High School) in Huntsville.
After three years in Huntsville, Bishop Baker sent Father Jerabek to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (“Santa Croce”). Father completed his degree (ecclesiastical licentiate) in the Summer of 2014 and returned to be Administrator, later Pastor, of St. Barnabas and Holy Rosary parishes in Birmingham, with care also for the Hispanic community at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
In February 2016 Father Jerabek was named Chancellor of the Diocese of Birmingham, a position he continues to hold.
Bishop Robert J. Baker tasked Father with being Chairman of the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, June 28-29, 2019, as well as with the Installation of the new Bishop, the Most Reverend Steven J. Raica, June 22-23, 2020.
Father Jerabek was named a Papal Missionary of Mercy by His Holiness Pope Francis in November 2020, a position he continues to hold. In this capacity, he has a special mandate from the Holy Father to hear confessions and preach on mercy; moreover, he has the faculty to hear confessions anywhere in the world and to remit the censures associated with certain ecclesiastical crimes that are otherwise normally reserved to the Holy See.
On July 1, 2021, Bishop Steven J. Raica appointed Father Jerabek as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. The Judicial Vicar acts in the Bishop’s name to serve the ministry of justice in the diocese – principally, in the area of the Marriage Tribunal, but in other judicial processes as well, as determined by Canon Law.
On July 6, 2021, Father Jerabek was named Chaplain for Birmingham-area university students by Bishop Steven J. Raica. Chaplaincy activities for BHM Catholic Campus Ministry take place primarily at St. Stephen’s Chapel but also on the campuses. On July 1, 2026, with Father Jacob’s having assumed the Chaplaincy of BHM Catholic Campus Ministry, Father Jerabek was named by Bishop Raica its Administrator (including of St. Stephen’s Chapel).
Father is a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He is also a Fourth-Degree Knight of Columbus. He enjoys traveling, sacred art and music, and visiting with his nieces and nephews. He speaks English, Spanish, and Italian. He may be contacted at fatherjerabek@stpaulsbhm.org.
PAROCHIAL VICAR (ASSOCIATE PASTOR) — Father Jacob Ebong Ntoko
Father Jacob is a priest from the Diocese of Kumba, in the southwest region of Cameroon, West Africa. He was born in St. Luke Parish Nyandong and is the fifth of six children born to his parents, Joseph Sone Ebong and Monica Dione, both of blessed memory.After completing his elementary, secondary, and high school studies, Father Jacob embarked on his seminary formation at Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary. He was ordained a transitional deacon on June 29, 2011, and a priest on April 12, 2012.
Following priestly ordination, Father Jacob served in the Diocese of Buea (2012-2016) until the creation of the Diocese of Kumba from the Diocese of Buea on March 15, 2016. With this creation, he decided to continue his ministry with the new Diocese of Kumba – to which he continues to belong.
Over the years since ordination, Father’s assignments have included: Parochial Vicar & Youth Chaplain of Sacred Heart Church Fiango-Kumba (2012-2013); Principal of Regina Coeli Comprehensive High School Kupe-Tombel (Boarding School) and Parochial Vicar, Tombel Parish (2013-2018); Chancellor of the Diocese of Kumba and Bishop’s Secretary (2018-2025). During this last period, he held positions including: Judicial Vicar for Hospital Ministry, Diocesan Chaplain of Ushers, Adhoc Brothers and Sisters, Interim Chaplain of St. Francis College Fiango-Kumba, Associate Priest of St. John Parish Kumba Town, St. John Paul II Parish Barombi Kang and St. John the Baptist Parish Mbalangi.
After thirteen years of multifaceted ministry in his native Cameroon, Father Jacob answered the call in September 2025 to serve abroad as fidei donum priest in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. His first assignments began in December 2025 as part-time Parochial Vicar for both Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Homewood and the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Birmingham, as well as having chaplaincy duties for BHM Catholic Campus Ministry (UAB and Samford). Starting on July 1, 2026, he became full-time Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of Saint Paul and Chaplain of BHM Catholic Campus Ministry/St. Stephen’s Chapel.
Father Jacob’s birthday is on November 13. He speaks English, Bakossi, and some French. He may be contacted at frntokojake@gmail.com.
PRIEST-IN-RESIDENCE — Father Cecil Spotswood
Father Spotswood was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1997 for the Archdiocese of Mobile.He was Associate Pastor at both Saint Columba in Dothan and then at Saint Ignatius in Mobile. He later served as Pastor in Atmore at Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish, and next at Saint Martin of Troy, in Troy Alabama.
Father Spotswood has worked with giving directed retreats to both priests and seminarians. He has carried on healing and retreat ministries while serving as a chaplain both to the Carmelite Sisters and the Visitation Nuns in Mobile.
Next, he was assigned to Saint Mary’s in Mobile as Associate Pastor while continuing with healing ministry.
Father Spotswood retired from parish work in June of 2023; he continues to do retreat and healing ministries as well as replacement work when pastors need him.
He has been in residence at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Birmingham since Fall 2025. To reach him, please contact the Cathedral parish office.
The Cathedral of Saint Paul 