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By Monsignor Noel Burtenshaw
The Diocese of Atlanta was founded twenty-five years ago. One
priest in North Georgia will remember that fact vividly. He became a priest for
the new diocese that same year.
Father Joseph Drohan, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in
Milledgeville, was a bit late becoming a priest,” says Father Drohan,
“but that’s okay. I had a war to win first.”
Lieutenant Drohan hit Omaha Beach in June 1941 as the Normandy
invasion got underway. Under General Mark Clarke, the future Father Drohan took
his men all the way to Berlin. “I saw a lot of good friends die,”
says Father Joe, “but the Lord was good to me.”
After the war Drohan worked as a salesman for two years and then
entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. “My brother was already a
Jesuit priest for 10 years,” says Father Drohan. Father James Drohan
teaches in Boston.
After coming to the United States from County Waterford in
Ireland, Father Joe’s parents met and married in Boston. The family
settled in Worcester, Mass. and five boys and two girls were born. The parents
have died but the rest of the family are well and “one day” planning
a return visit to Waterford. I’ve been there before,” says Father
Drohan, “and I’m sure I’ll be there again.”
Father Drohan has held many assignments in the Archdiocese of
Atlanta, serving in St. Thomas More, Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Cathedral of
Christ the King, Blessed Sacrament as well as parishes in Toccoa and Hartwell.
Will there be a celebration? Of course, and it may even be talked
about in Waterford. Ad multos annos Father Joe.
Another jubilarian of 25 years is Father Gerry Gill, presently
assigned to St. Patrick’s Church in Norcross. Father Gill, a native of
Dublin, Ireland was ordained on July 15, 1956 in Dublin. He is a member of the
Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales.
Immediately after ordination Father Gill was sent to Goa, India.
“I really liked the missions,” says Father Gerry, “even though
while I was in Goa war broke out. It was a Portuguese protectorate and was
invaded by Indian armed forces in 1962. It was never dull.”
In 1969, Father Gill was sent to the United States by his
superiors. He has served in parishes in Ohio and Georgia. In Atlanta the Irish
native has given priestly service in Athens, Lawrenceville, Immaculate Heart of
Mary and in St. Patrick’s in Norcross.
Father Gill’s parents are deceased, but two sisters and two
brothers are living in Dublin. All are married with families. “We’ll
have a celebration when I get home,” says Father Gill with a smile,
“and we’ll have one here, too.”
Another 25th anniversary celebration will be held for
Father Gerald Peterson who was ordained May 16, 1956. Father Peterson is pastor
up in the North Georgia mountains.
Father “Pete” is a Glenmary Home Missioner and like so
many of his brothers and sisters in the Glenmary family, he serves in the
“no priest” land of the U.S. Glenmarys are to be found across the
South bringing the message of the Church to places where the word
“Catholic” is unknown.
At present he serves as pastor to St. Mark’s church in
Clarkesville and St. Helena’s Church in Clayton. Ordained on May 20, 1956,
Father “Pete” is one of 11 children and received his education in
Cincinnati. He has served in communities all over the South and writes articles
on Rural Ministry for the GEORGIA BULLETIN.
The hills and hollows of his mountainous parish will ring out
sounds of his praise as Father Peterson celebrates this anniversary in May.
On Friday, May 1, celebrations were in order at the Cathedral.
Both Monsignor John McDonough and Father John O’Shea remembered forty
years each in the priesthood. Many friends from Father O’Shea’s old
parish, St. John the Evangelist in Hapeville, joined the now retired pastor in
a Mass and festivities. Monsignor McDonough, rector of the Cathedral, was
likewise surrounded by his parishioners and friends for the occasion.
We wish them all many more happy days of service to the Lord and
to us, His people. |
