Photo by Julianna Leopold

ATLANTA—The current period is the “golden age of the Archdiocese of Atlanta” as the church navigates the rapid physical, sacramental and spiritual growth happening throughout its 69 counties, said Atlanta’s archbishop.   

Talking to more than 200 priests, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., said thousands of new Catholics were welcomed into the faith at Easter, $110 million worth of new construction is underway, along with a surge of young men interested in the priestly life.  

The priests came together for the annual convocation of clergy serving in the archdiocese at Lake Lanier from Sept. 14 to 17 for days of prayer, leisure and talks, looking at the opportunities and challenges in the counties of the archdiocese.   

In his remarks, the archbishop described his vision for “Mission, Renewal and Hope,” calling it a “moment of grace.”  

“I’m not casting this vision because I doubt you. I’m casting it because I believe in you and because a full net is still God’s to give us, not ours to create. Our part is simple. Together, it is to have faith in the Lord and to put out into the deep.”  

Changing needs of Hispanic community  

One of the challenges facing the church leaders is serving the large, culturally rich Hispanic community, amid changing circumstances.   

Surveys have shown Hispanic Catholics make up to half of the 1.2 million strong community. But increasingly the people live in fear.  

Immigration enforcement is frightening believers, according to an archdiocesan leader who shared details with the priests. People are being stopped and detained in large numbers, increasing distress for families, said Yolanda Muñoz, the director of Hispanic and Latino Ministries. 

In July, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 2,278 people throughout the state. In July 2025, 1,125 people were taken into custody, according to the Data Deportation Project.  

At the same time, studies show a sharp drop among young Latinos in the church. In 2010, close to seven out of 10 young Latinos identified as Catholic, while in 2023, the self-identification fell below 50 percent, Muñoz said.  

Father Roberto Herrera Castañeda, administrator of St. John Paul II Mission in Gainesville, relaxes with his fellow priests after dinner during the annual convocation of clergy serving the archdiocese. During a speech given that week, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer asked the men to tend to their soul and friendships to continue to serve as effective ministers. Photo by Julianna Leopold

Faith in the Hispanic community is sustained by strong lay movements, which serve as the network for community engagement. Thousands of people come to these monthly devotional prayer sessions to foster the faith, she said.   

When the archdiocese paused hosting the Eucharistic Congress, a number of Hispanic groups came together and organized their own smaller congress, replicating the event even down to the long procession of banners that traditionally kicked off the larger congress, she said.   

Faith formation: a new approach  

Another challenge is how the archdiocese is changing how it forms believers into a relationship with Jesus.   

The goal is to move “from managing to cultivating growth,” said Andrew Lichtenwalner, the executive director of Evangelization and Discipleship for the archdiocese. He spoke to the group on the first day of the conference.   

Under what’s called the “Form to Send” program, the age of confirmation is being lowered from 10th grade to 6th grade as parishes start up a new framework to evangelize the whole family, he said. Every parish by 2031 is to implement this change. The goal is not to rush this to simply check a box, but instead to do outreach, pray and discern ways to engage parents and families, create a culture of family faith formation and renew youth ministry efforts.  

Marriage in the church has centered on preparation to receive the sacrament, but then newlywed couples are not often considered.   

“Marriage itself, marriage ministry, marriage evangelization has received very little, very little attention just generally. We want to see what can we do to discern where is the Lord calling us to next steps,” said Lichtenwalner.  

Renewing priests  

Archbishop Hartmayer suggested the community of priests be renewed in their efforts, but not at the risk of burn out.   

Reminding them how Jesus was restored in the desert for his work, priests should take monthly “desert days” to step away for that silence and reflection, he said. “It’s not a day off, it’s a workday. Use the day to pray, to confess, to walk, to have meaningful conversation, or intentional silence.”  

From left, Father Jince Francis, MS; Father Noble Dominic Ambalathuruthel, MSFS; and Father Cyriac Mattathilanickal, MS, share time together during the annual convocation of clergy serving the archdiocese in September. Photo by Julianna Leopold

He asked the men to tend to their soul and friendships to continue to serve as effective ministers. Solitude to escape the noise of the day is important for prayer, as is finding and keeping a supportive relationship with at least one brother priest and seeking help when needed.  

Atlanta priests minister in a time when the wider culture is indifferent or hostile to the Church’s message, he said. But the laity love them and desire their messages grounded in God, he said.   

Like St. Paul, he looks at the “love of God poured into your hearts” as a sign of hope.  

“We don’t reflect on our competence necessarily, or our 5-year plan. The love of God already given, already poured out, (is) already at work in this presbytery before any of us walked into this room. God has been working through us and in us. He’s nudged us to be here. He’s grabbed us and pulled us to be here,” he said.