Georgia Bulletin

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• Women at leadership training urged to be listeners, be Christlike

  

  By JEAN DRISKELL, Special to the Bulletin
  Published July 23, 2015

  SMYRNA—The Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women hosted its annual leadership program for women of the archdiocese at the Chancery June 20. Presenters for the daylong event were Ellen Bachman and Suzanne Erpenbach from the National Council of Catholic Women Leadership Training Development team. The LTD program is “a program by council women for council […]

• ‘Catholic Drinkie’ blends faith and spirits in unique book on brews

  

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published July 23, 2015

  ATLANTA—In the summer heat, how about a Mary Magdalene Watermelon Wheat to take the edge off? Or perhaps a Pope Benedict in Retirement? These are home-brew recipes found in the book “The Catholic Drinkie’s Guide to Homebrewed Evangelism.” First-time author Sarah Vabulas—who goes by the moniker of Catholic Drinkie—mixed her passion for her faith with […]

• Two new administrative leaders named at Holy Spirit Prep School

  

  Published July 23, 2015

  ATLANTA—Jen de Castro is the new director of advancement at Holy Spirit Prep School, Atlanta. De Castro comes to Holy Spirit Prep from Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, where she served as development manager for special projects and major gifts. In 2011, de Castro served as the major gifts officer at Marist School, Atlanta, where […] Full Story

• Epiphany Byzantine Church reopens after fire

  

  Published July 23, 2015

  ROSWELL—Six months after a fire wrecked their spiritual home, members of the Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church have settled back into their church. On June 7, the community in Roswell celebrated a liturgy in the refurbished church for the first time since the December arson. The church is at 2030 Old Alabama Road. The community gathered […]

• “Jeopardy!” Clue Crew films at monastery

  Published July 23, 2015

  CONYERS—“At the Monastery: Understanding the quieter way of life among the Trappists” was the category. And the Conyers Monastery of the Holy Spirit had a starring role as the game show “Jeopardy!” challenged its contestants with questions about the monastic community. The broadcast was Monday, July 20, but the behind-the-scenes work took place in April. […] Full Story

• Sophia Academy students receive end-of-year honors

  Published July 23, 2015

  ATLANTA—Sophia Academy held in late May its annual end of the year honors day awards. Sophia Academy was founded to serve students with learning differences and utilizes small class sizes, multisensory teaching and personal learning plans. Sophia Academy is a Marist school. One of the most prestigious awards, the Corrigan Family Scholarship Award, was established […] Full Story

• Five newly ordained priests urged to be ‘ministers of mercy’

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published July 9, 2015

  ATLANTA—Five men became the newest priests in the Atlanta Archdiocese after their solemn ordination ceremony with its sweet smelling oils, billowing clouds of incense and silent prayer. The men were charged by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory to be “ministers of mercy.” The newly ordained are Father Brian Bufford, Father Jorge Carranza, Father Branson Scott Hipp, […]

• Bishop heralds jubilee pastor as ‘a bridge, bringing people together’

  By ERIKA ANDERSON, Special to the Bulletin
  Published July 9, 2015

  JOHNS CREEK—Father Paul Flood may be Irish, but his silver jubilee celebration was a festival of music, cultures and traditions from around the world. Bagpipes, African drums and a traditional choral music enriched Father Flood’s 25th anniversary Mass Saturday, May 30, at St. Benedict Church, where he is pastor. Several priests concelebrated the Mass, including […] Full Story

• Sister Mary Immaculate Collin, foundation sister of Visitation Monastery, dies

  Published July 9, 2015

  SNELLVILLE—Sister Mary Immaculata Collin, VHM, of the Monastery of the Visitation of Maryfield in Snellville, died on Thursday, June 25, at the age of 85. Sister Mary Immaculata was the last of the foundation sisters, those who established this monastery in the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 1954. Sister Mary Immaculata, born Neoma Mary Collin on […] Full Story

• Desire to do her best, achieve goals, propels Calhoun scholar-athlete to excellence

  By PRISCILLA GREEAR, Special to the Bulletin
  Published July 9, 2015

  CALHOUN—Scholar-athlete Natalie Collins pushed herself in high school to step into leadership and service roles, chart her own course and maximize her experience. Her goal was to achieve her personal best and be accepted at a university where she could work successfully toward her next dream of medical school. With that focused attitude, the Calhoun […] Full Story

• Summer Bible study for women to be offered at Holy Spirit

  Published July 9, 2015

  ATLANTA—“The Book of Tobit tells a beautiful story about ordinary people devoted to their family, their faith and living God’s will,” Keri Allen, leader of Proclaim My Word ministry, said. A life application Bible study on Tobit, titled, “God Hears Your Prayers!,” is offered to the women of the archdiocese and will be presented by […] Full Story

• Knitter, 92, makes special cap for Pope Francis after priest’s challenge

  By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer
  Published July 9, 2015

  DAWSONVILLE—Virginia “Ginny” Burnett of Dawsonville used knitting needles to answer both a dare from a priest and a divine prompting to make a gift for Pope Francis. Burnett, who celebrated her 92nd birthday July 2, is part of the Loving Stitches Knitting Ministry at Christ the Redeemer Church in Dawsonville. She is also a longtime […] Full Story

• New Respect Life Ministry director named

  Published July 9, 2015

  SMYRNA—Brendan Dudley is the new director of Respect Life Ministry in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Mary Boyert, who has served in the post for more than 15 years, retired July 1. A native of Detroit, Dudley spent the past three years in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the director of faith formation at St. Cecilia Church. His […]

• UGA chaplain, Father Tom Vigliotta, died July 4; Franciscan prodded students to live deeper faith

  

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published July 9, 2015

  ATHENS—The leader of the Catholic community at the University of Georgia, Franciscan Father Thomas Vigliotta, died on July 4. He was a member of the Franciscan community for 34 years and a priest for 29 years. The New York native also served in parishes in South Carolina, New York and in retreat ministry. Due to […]

• Smyrna Catholic leads Georgia Knights of Columbus

  By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer
  Published July 9, 2015

  SMYRNA—Mark McMullen felt in awe standing in St. Mary Church, the founding parish of the Knights of Columbus. “Who wouldn’t want to be here?” he remembers thinking about the historic church in New Haven, Connecticut, with its vaulted ceiling. He sat in the wooden pew marked with a plaque noting the establishment in 1903 of […] Full Story

• St. Thomas the Apostle rededicates revitalized sanctuary, commons

  

  By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer
  Published July 9, 2015

  SMYRNA—The parishioners and clergy of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna know that any worthwhile endeavor comes with sacrifice. Since the beginning of the year, parishioners have been celebrating Mass in the social hall, while Holy Week and Easter Masses were held at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. As many as 14 weekend Masses […]

• Marist athletic director inducted into Hall of Fame

  Published July 9, 2015

  ATLANTA—Marist School athletic director Tommy Marshall has been inducted into the Georgia Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame. The honor is given to coaches who have displayed great leadership and prominence during their career. Marshall was one of three 2015 honorees. He has been in athletic administration for 30 years and at Marist for 19 […]

• Atlanta archbishop responds to U.S. Supreme Court decision

  

  Published June 26, 2015

  Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory released this statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same sex marriage: “Each U.S. Supreme Court decision that has ever been rendered has resulted in deep disappointment for some people and vindication for others. If we all agreed on the outcomes of these divisive cases, there would […] Full Story

• Archbishop calls Charleston victims’ families ‘courageous … compassionate’

  

  By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer
  Published June 25, 2015

  ATLANTA—Parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Atlanta prayed for strength for the people of Charleston, South Carolina, and healing for the nation at a special Mass June 20. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory celebrated the vigil Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes for the nine victims of the tragic June 17 shooting at Emanuel […]

• Archbishop Gregory: Pope gives ‘pastoral admonition’ to care for fragile Earth

  Published June 25, 2015

  Pope Francis released today his highly anticipated encyclical on the environment, an authoritative pastoral admonition for all of us to pay much closer attention to the fragile and threatened health of the Earth, which serves as our common home. Using one of the Canticles of St. Francis of Assisi as both the opening line and […]