This Sunday, Nov. 10th, is Georgia Mission Sunday. The second collection in all the churches of the archdiocese will be for this purpose.

There are many parts of the archdiocese, particularly in northern Georgia, where a tremendous Catholic opportunity is waiting for us. These places exist not only in the rapidly growing towns, many of them near Metropolitan Atlanta, but especially where four or five counties are at present being served by one priest and a chapel.

As one concrete example of what the Georgia Mission Sunday Collection can do, the archdiocese some time ago was able to purchase a Protestant church in Dahlonega. Previously, M ass had been offered in a 20 by 18 foot room in a rented house nearby. Now the growing number of Catholics in the Dahlonega area are proudly identified with their own parish, St. Luke’s.

The fruits of this beginning have increased steadily. The Rev. Leonard Spanjers, pastor at St. Luke’s, recently announced that construction was under way for a combined rectory and parish hall. The lot on which it is being built lies directly behind the Presbyterian (now Catholic) church which was purchased through the mission Sunday effort.

Dahlonega is a prime example of the progress of the Catholic Church in the state of Georgia. Over 100 years ago, a few Catholics in the town used to travel the 70 miles to Atlanta for Mass at the home of Patrick Lynch. Catholic roots in Dahlonega are deep. Since the beginning of St. Luke’s parish, just three years ago, the 25 original parishioners have almost tripled in numbers.

The total income from the Mission collections to date, amounts to $49,311.91. Expenditures have been made as follows (for the Dahlonega parish):

$7,120.00-purchase of Presbyterian Church; $4,000.00-purchase of additional property; $7,882.67-renovations; $33,000.00-cost of completing rectory, Newman Center and two classrooms; total; $52,002.67.

More than 3,000 manpower hours have been donated to the project by parishioners, Glenmary Brothers and college volunteers. In addition, about $11,000 went into the project from other, outside donations.

Dahlonega is only one of many mission area within the archdiocese which need assistance. The faith must be established before it can grow. It can persevere and prosper only where there is a church, the central place for community worship before the tabernacle.

There are still 53 counties in the archdiocese which are served only by missions. This Sunday’s collection will help to speed the day when all the faithful in these counties are served by parishes.