Photo Courtesy Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales

LOGANVILLE—On the Jan. 24 feast day of St. Francis de Sales, friends and family of the Fransalian religious order gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new retirement home for priests.

With two retired priests and a few nearing age 75 in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, having a retirement home was a need for the order’s priests serving in the United States, said Father Tomy Joseph Puliyanampattayil, MSFS, pastor of St. Marguerite d’ Youville Church in Lawrenceville and U.S. provincial for the Fransalian order.

Plans for phase one of the home include a chapel, dining area, library, space for recreation and eight private rooms. The home will be easily accessible for those with physical challenges. The building is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Phase two includes eight additional private rooms and other features based on the assessment of phase one.

Residency at the home is open to all priests in the U.S., regardless of order, said Father Tomy. It will be at 3887 Rosebud Road in Loganville, alongside the Ave Maria Fransalian Spirituality Center, which serves as a spiritual gift and bookstore and headquarters for the order’s U.S. province.

The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, also known as the Fransalians, are in 25 dioceses across 14 states. There are currently 73 Fransalian priests serving in the United States. The Fransalians have served in the Atlanta Archdiocese for 50 years. Fransalian ministry is characterized by the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, which includes simplicity, gentleness, optimism and availability in service of the local church.

Priests from the order founded the parishes of St. Patrick, Norcross, and St. Lawrence, Lawrenceville. Fransalian priests are currently serving at St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn; St. Marguerite d’Youville Church, Lawrenceville; St. Benedict Church, Johns Creek and St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Church and Holy Family Syro-Malabar Knanaya Church, both in Loganville.

Father Tomy is grateful to the bishops of the Archdiocese of Atlanta for their support over the years.

“We feel really honored and happy that we are here,” said Father Tomy. “We are in the right place.”