Georgia Bulletin

Atlanta

• Student takes up his cross for 431-mile journey

  By LINDSAY GLADU, Special to the Bulletin
  Published August 7, 2014

  ATLANTA—John Bessis, 21, grew apprehensive as he stood on Atlanta’s Pine Street with a 50-pound cross pressing down on his back. An agitated man was shouting at Bessis about the 6-foot-tall, pressure-treated wooden symbol. “He said that I was disrespecting God for bringing the cross into that place,” Bessis said. “He said, ‘Do you know […]

• Teens and young people paint inspiring messages

  Published August 7, 2014

  Canvases and paint supplies appeared at St. Jude Church recently, giving Life Teen and Edge group members and their families a creative outlet. It was part of the ministry known as Caring Canvases. The group members painted and drew inspirational canvases with uplifting messages for people in need. These canvases will be donated to the parish’s Elderly Outreach […] Full Story

• St. Pius X finishes second in MaxPreps Cup national rankings

  

  Published August 7, 2014

  ATLANTA—St. Pius X High School finished second behind Bentonville High School of Arkansas in the 2013-14 MaxPreps Cup national rankings recognizing the top high school athletic programs in the nation. The St. Pius Golden Lions are coming off the best athletic season in school history with eight state championships, three state runners-up and 21 of […] Full Story

• ‘Second and 6’ with Holy Spirit’s new head football coach

  

  By MICHAEL ALEXANDER, Staff Photographer
  Published August 7, 2014

  ATLANTA—David Rosenzweig is taking on a new title at Atlanta’s Holy Spirit Prep School. Already serving as the assistant principal of student leadership and teaching advanced placement modern European history, now he will also be known as the head football coach. The independent Catholic school’s revamped football coaching staff includes Rosenzweig and three first-year assistant […] Full Story

• Former Norcross pastor died in Florida

  Published August 7, 2014

  ATLANTA—Father John Joseph Meehan, who at one time served as the pastor of St. Patrick Church in Norcross, died June 2 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 76. Born in Dublin, Ireland, on July 9, 1937, he was the son of James and Kathleen (Gough) Meehan. According to a news article in the St. Augustine Catholic […] Full Story

• Magnet award for nursing excellence given for fifth time to Saint Joseph’s Hospital

  

  By LINDSAY GLADU, Special to the Bulletin
  Published July 24, 2014

  ATLANTA—No one enjoys being sick or stuck in a hospital bed. But the nursing staff at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital work hard to ensure their patients have the best experience and best care possible. That’s why the hospital is being recognized with its fifth consecutive Magnet designation, an American Nurses Credentialing Center honor reserved for […] Full Story

• Symposium to focus on practical aspects of music ministry

  Published July 24, 2014

  ATLANTA—Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the Southeastern Liturgical Music Symposium is a gathering of liturgical musicians who share an interest in advancing the quality of Catholic liturgical music. This year’s symposium will be held at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 353 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, on Saturday, Aug. 9. The symposium […] Full Story

• La Salette Father Michael Flanagan dies

  Published July 24, 2014

  ATLANTA—Father Michael J. Flanagan, 82, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, and first pastor of St. Clement Church, in Calhoun, died June 22, the feast of Corpus Christi, at St. Mary Home in West Hartford, Connecticut. Father Flanagan was the administrator of St. Clement beginning in 1981 and became the first pastor when […]

• Top honors for Emory Saint Joseph’s physician

  Published July 17, 2014

  Dr. Thomas P. McGahan, an Emory Saint Joseph’s physician with Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology, was awarded the hospital’s E. Napier “Buck” Burson Physician Award of Distinction. He was honored recently at the 24th annual dinner and ceremony. The award is Emory Saint Joseph’s highest honor for physician service and is named for Burson, a respected internist, […] Full Story

• Perfect score on SAT and ACT by Holy Spirit Prep student

  Published July 17, 2014

  Meredith Jones, a rising senior at Holy Spirit Prep School in Atlanta, earned the highest possible scores on both the SAT and ACT exams, the standardized tests used by colleges in their admissions process. Meredith scored a 2400 on the SAT and a 36 on the ACT, each in one sitting, taking the two exams […]

• Parishes can act to help children at border, says ministry head

  

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff reporter
  Published July 17, 2014

  ATLANTA—Parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta are being encouraged to tap the expertise of their members and identify resources to help the wave of children crossing the United States’ borders. Officials from the archdiocese and Catholic Charities Atlanta attended a weeklong immigration conference in Washington, D.C., with a focus on the crisis of tens of […] Full Story

• Meet the 6 new priests of the Atlanta Archdiocese

  

  By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer
  Published July 10, 2014

  Father Luis Alvarez Age: 31 Birthdate: May 26, 1983 Birthplace: Puerto Rico Parents: Luis Alnedo Alvarez Rodriguez and Carmen Maria Velazquez Melendez. Family: Father Alvarez has a younger brother, Jonathan Luis, and two half-siblings, Alexander and Emily. Education: Attended Georgia Tech for undergraduate studies and participated in Navy ROTC while there. Seminary: St. Vincent Seminary, […] Full Story

• For 75 years, the Sisters have given Atlanta a living explanation of ‘our Catholic faith’

  By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer
  Published July 10, 2014

  ATLANTA—In 1939, Savannah was the only diocese in Georgia, and its bishop, Gerald P. O’Hara, welcomed two Hawthorne Dominican Sisters, Mother Mary Rose and Sister Mary Angela, to open a home for the terminally ill in Atlanta. Seventy-five years after the sisters’ nighttime train trip from New York down South, their successors continue to provide […]

• Retiring St. Jude pastor, Msgr. Fennessy, given fond sendoff, with thanks

  

  By ERIKA ANDERSON, Special to the Bulletin
  Published July 10, 2014

  ATLANTA—Msgr. James Fennessy’s booming Irish brogue and boisterous laugh are familiar sounds in the archdiocese. But those who know him best also know he has a softer, more prayerful side. It’s that pastoral quality that many parishioners credit with carrying them through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Msgr. Fennessy celebrated his […] Full Story

• Father Michael Silloway will speak at Magnificat meal in August

  Published July 10, 2014

  ATLANTA—Father Michael Silloway, whose call to the priesthood unfolded while he was growing up in metro Atlanta and attending the University of Georgia, will speak about his faith journey as the guest speaker at the Magnificat ministry breakfast in August. The Magnificat breakfast will be held on Saturday morning, Aug. 16, at Holy Cross Church […]

• Hunger doesn’t take a summer break

  Published July 10, 2014

  Parishioners at Atlanta’s Cathedral of Christ the King are participating again in MUST Ministries’ summer lunch program.  MUST provides summer lunches to more than 250,000 children in the metro area. This is the fourth summer that CTK parishioners have joined the community effort. Pastor Msgr. Frank McNamee challenged the parish community to provide 1,000 lunches […] Full Story

• Deacon serving on Georgia council to help prison inmates

  Published July 10, 2014

  Deacon Richard Tolcher was recently tapped to serve on the Georgia Interfaith Council, a group of religious leaders who will advise Gov. Nathan Deal on criminal justice reform. Some 14 men and women, all religious leaders, represent different houses of worship on the council, which was established in April. The council’s charge is to identify […]

• Sister of Mercy honored for service at Emory St. Joseph Hospital

  Published July 10, 2014

  Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital patient educator Sister of Mercy Peggy Fannon has been named a Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) G.R.E.A.T. Ambassador. The program, which stands for Giving Recognition for Excellence, Advocacy, and Teamwork, celebrates the commitment hospital employees bring to their job, community and to the Georgia health care industry. Sister Fannon was selected for […] Full Story

• Students win awards for penmanship

  Published July 10, 2014

  Zaner-Bloser, the language arts and reading company, named Immaculate Heart of Mary School student Zachary Sutter the second-grade Georgia Handwriting Champion as well as the second-grade Grand National Handwriting Champion. This title means Zachary’s handwriting is the best in the nation among second-grade students. Zachary is one of nine students to hold the Grand National […] Full Story

• Georgia Catholic dioceses ban guns, knives from church facilities

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published June 30, 2014

  ATLANTA—Guns and other weapons are officially unwelcome at Catholic churches, schools and other buildings owned, leased or operated by the Catholic dioceses of Georgia. On behalf of the dioceses, Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory and Savannah Bishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., have issued a decree prohibiting guns and knives with blades longer than five inches […] Full Story