Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Atlanta

Young Adult Program, Holy Grounds, Begins Feb. 28

Published February 8, 2007

The Office of Young Adult Ministry of the archdiocese is sponsoring its annual Holy Grounds Lenten Coffeehaus at a different church each week on five Wednesdays of Lent.

The series for single and married persons in their 20s and 30s has the theme “Called to Communion” and begins each week with an optional Mass at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and gathering at 7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. there will be a speaker followed by small group discussion and a Coffeehaus social.

On Feb. 28 Father Tim Gadziala, JCL, will speak on the topic “That They Might Be One” at Holy Spirit Church, 4465 Northside Drive, NW, Atlanta, where he will address finding one’s purpose in life. He holds graduate degrees in theology, Scripture and canon law. He has lectured nationally, and worked internationally, in canon law. Currently, he is a judge in the Metropolitan Tribunal and a pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Atlanta. He serves on various committees in the archdiocese and is a part-time instructor with Spring Hill College.

On March 7 Pete Brown will give a talk entitled “Why Christianity?” at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 7171 Glenridge Drive, NE, Atlanta. He will share his own faith journey and talk about the truth of faith and reasons to be Catholic. Brown is a grateful “revert” to the Catholic faith—he was baptized a Catholic but did not embrace the fullness of his faith until age 25. Brown lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife Liz and is currently pursuing a doctorate in biblical studies from The Catholic University of America. He speaks and publishes on a wide variety of religious topics related to Scripture and the Catholic theological tradition.

On March 14 Liz Brown’s talk on “an ongoing conversion” and finding fulfillment will take place at Sacred Heart Church, 353 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta.

She will speak on how she converted to Catholicism almost 13 years ago and then married her sweetheart, Pete, one week later. As a national speaker currently residing in Washington, D.C., Liz shares her conversion story and her healing journey from an abortion at age 24. She provides encouragement to all Christians to become involved in healing others from abortion-related trauma and to explore more deeply God’s mercy and call to holiness. She is an avowed Third Order Carmelite and has recently spoken on contemplative prayer and Carmelite spirituality. She also is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and works with a variety of persons with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Father Luis Zarama, vicar general of the archdiocese, will speak on March 21 at Holy Trinity Church, 101 Walt Banks Road, Peachtree City, on “walking the walk,” discussing tools for holy living in union with God.

He attended the Marian University in Pasto, Colombia, earning a degree in philosophy and theology. He also attended the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, earning a degree in canon law. He was a philosophy and theology professor at the Carmelites School, the Learning School and the Colombia Military School for 11 years.

He was ordained Nov. 27, 1993, and was the first Hispanic priest to be named pastor in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, to St. Mark Church in Clarksville and St. Helena Mission in Clayton. Named vicar general in April 2006, Father Zarama also serves as Defender of the Bond for the archdiocese’s Metropolitan Tribunal and is a member of the archdiocesan personnel review board.

And on March 28 Father Kevin Peek will talk on “finding life in Christ” at St. Joseph Maronite Church, 502 Seminole Ave., NE, Atlanta. Father Peek received a bachelor’s degree in history from Christendom College in Front Royal, Va., before entering Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he received his master of divinity degree. Father Peek was ordained in 1998 and is now campus minister of Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell.