Georgia Bulletin

Atlanta

• Welcoming wives at diaconate formation classes magnifies impact

  By PRISCILLA GREEAR, Special to the Bulletin
  Published November 21, 2018

  ATLANTA—As her husband, Deacon Rick Medina, went through diaconate formation, Christy Medina also experienced a spiritual awakening and undertook her own journey of prayer, faith and study to become a chaplain and spiritual director. Earning a master’s degree, the mother of three now ministers as an Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital chaplain, inspired by her husband’s […]

• Formation of permanent deacons a time of discernment

  

  By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer
  Published November 21, 2018

  ATLANTA—From application to ordination the formation process for the permanent diaconate takes roughly six years. The application process alone for those interested in exploring serving as a deacon can take eight or nine months. After acceptance, the formation includes a year of aspirancy and four of candidacy, and involves classes, reflections and retreats. Atlanta’s permanent […] Full Story

• Melkite clergy of Southern region meet in Atlanta

  

  Published November 21, 2018

  The annual retreat and protopresbyteral meeting of Melkite clergy from the southern region took place Monday, Nov. 5 to Wednesday, Nov. 7, at St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church, Atlanta. Some of the topics discussed included: A Byzantine perspective on what a priest is, the church as a sacrament versus institution, ordained priesthood, narcissistic clericalism, […] Full Story

• Celebrating deacons: Servants drawn to the ministry of Charity and Word

  By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer
  Published November 21, 2018

  ATLANTA—This year marks the 50th anniversary of the renewal of the permanent diaconate in the United States. The bishops of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) voted to affirm the diaconate as noted in several Council documents to complete the sacramental character of the Church. In 1968, bishops in the U.S. were given permission to renew […] Full Story

• Holy Spirit Church to host St. John Vianney relic tour

  Published November 21, 2018

  ATLANTA—Holy Spirit Church will host the Knights of Columbus relic tour of the incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney on Dec. 7 and 8. The relic is normally kept with the saint’s incorrupt body at the Shrine of St. John Vianney in the Basilique d’Ars in Ars-Sur-Formans, France. St. John Vianney, the “parish priest of […] Full Story

• Priests, deacons, seminarians and religious with credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors

  Published November 6, 2018

  The Archdiocese of Atlanta is committed to the protection of minors, as well as to compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. In a spirit of transparency and the hope of continued healing for the survivors of abuse, I have decided to release the […] Full Story

• St. Paul of the Cross to have evangelization revival

  Published November 5, 2018

  ATLANTA—All are invited to join St. Paul of the Cross Church, Atlanta, for an Evangelization Revival celebrating Black Catholic History Month. The event will begin with Mass on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. Dewayne Smithers will conduct a motivational session for youth and young adults following the Mass. Smithers is a youth minister and […] Full Story

• IHM Church and School celebrate 60 years

  

  Published November 4, 2018

  ATLANTA—Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory celebrated the 60th Anniversary Mass of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and School on Oct. 27. “I hear you’ve turned 60,” the Archbishop told the assembly at the beginning of the liturgy. “You look marvelous!” Concelebrants for the Mass included pastor Msgr. Albert Jowdy and parochial vicar Father Carlos Ortega and […] Full Story | En Español

• PATH to have fundraiser dinner Nov. 8

  Published November 1, 2018

  ATLANTA—Post Abortion Treatment and Healing, PATH, will have its annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, Nov. 8 at Holy Spirit Church. This year’s guest speaker is Sheila Harper, president and founder of SaveOne Bible Study. The PATH Ministry became familiar with SaveOne in 2016 and began using that program for its weekly Bible studies, which are […] Full Story

• Atlanta’s Jewish and Catholic communities discuss finding unity in diversity

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published November 1, 2018

  ATLANTA—Days before a gunman attacked the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, more than 250 women and men of Christian and Jewish faiths focused on building unity in a divided society. The gathering on Thursday, Oct. 25, called Repairing the World, is the fourth annual event bringing together the two faith communities, organized by […] Full Story

• Courage Apostolate member Daniel Mattson shares story at Georgia Tech

  

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published November 1, 2018

  ATLANTA—When asked by a student how to talk to a gay friend about the morality of homosexuality, author Daniel Mattson told an audience of students at the Georgia Tech Catholic Center, “Your job is to love him, as he is.” “You relate to him, one on one. That is really the way of the Gospel,” […] Full Story

• Father James Martin shares bridge-building message at Atlanta parishes

  

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published November 1, 2018

  DECATUR—When a gunman killed 49 people at Miami’s Pulse Nightclub in 2016, Jesuit Father James Martin was struck by the silence from some American bishops in expressing solidarity with the slain gay patrons, unlike their responses to other mass shootings. “It seemed to me, even in death, LGBT people were more or less invisible to […] Full Story

• Marist School gets goats to help battle creek erosion

  

  By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer
  Published November 1, 2018

  ATLANTA—Rented goats visited the campus of Marist School Oct. 16-23 upon the invitation of environmental science students and their teacher Kelly Mandy. Students in Mandy’s science classes began researching ways to help restore riparian zones along the banks of the school’s Nancy Creek. Riparian zones are the 50-foot areas that border rivers and other bodies […] Full Story

• Archbishop answers Catholics’ questions on abuse

  

  Published November 1, 2018

  ATLANTA—In the weeks since scandals related to former Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick and troubling revelations of heinous abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses have come to light in the national media, many parishioners in churches across the Atlanta Archdiocese have met together for prayer and to share their concerns in an open or town hall format. […] Full Story | En Español

• Bishop Shlesinger celebrates Green Mass on feast of St. Francis

  

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published October 23, 2018

  ATLANTA—Karen Jimenez relies on the papal encyclical “Laudato Si” as inspiration when teaching her ecology class at Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Atlanta. In his papal encyclical, Pope Francis included two prayers on environmental issues—one an interfaith prayer for all and one specifically for Christians. The prayers often open and close Jimenez’s class, which is largely […] Full Story

• Mass spotlights those who are building the church of the future

  

  By JEAN DRISKELL, Special to the Bulletin
  Published October 19, 2018

  ATLANTA—The 2018 Deo Gratias Mass and brunch honoring the members of the Deo Gratias and Founders Society of the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia was held at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, Aug. 25. The gathering spotlights ordinary people who are helping to ensure that the church in the archdiocese continues to thrive […] Full Story

• ‘Body of Christ’ the unifying theme of national liturgical meeting

  

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published October 19, 2018

  ATLANTA—Some 130 members of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions attended its national meeting recently held in Atlanta. It was the 49th meeting of the organization, based in Washington, D.C. The theme of the gathering at the Omni Atlanta Hotel from Oct. 2-4 was “The Body of Christ: A Prophetic Sign of Unity and Concord.” […] Full Story

• Cathedral to hold All Souls’ Day Requiem

  Published October 19, 2018

  ATLANTA—The feast of All Souls is Nov. 2, and November is a month traditionally dedicated to remembering our ancestors and loved ones who have died. The Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, will offer its moving remembrance of All Souls in a special liturgy. On Friday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m., […] Full Story

• Georgia Bulletin Executive Editor Mary Anne Castranio dies at 61

  

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published October 18, 2018

  ATLANTA—One of Mary Anne Castranio’s biggest joys came only after facing her fears. Castranio hated to fly but still boarded an airplane for a life-altering trip in June 1998. Then in her early 40s, she traveled to China to be united with her daughter, Amy, whom she adopted. Marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption […] Full Story

• Legal community prays for peace, justice at annual Red Mass

  

  Published October 18, 2018

  ATLANTA—The St. Thomas More Society’s annual Red Mass, celebrated Oct. 11, signifies the beginning of a judicial calendar year. Judges, attorneys and others who administer justice came together for the Red Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Atlanta. Members of the clergy wore red vestments, traditionally signifying the outpouring of the […] Full Story