DECREE Elevating The Status of The Mission Church of Good Samaritan In The Municipality of Ellijay, Georgia, To The Status Of A Parish

Whereas the People of God of Ellijay, Georgia, have been served by the Mission of Good Samaritan since June 13, 1986, and whereas the Catholic population of the area has increased, has shown its ability to sustain a Parish with its own ministries and activities in support of liturgy and spiritual formation, education and sacramental preparation, apostolic outreach and community service, and

Having heard the advice of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on December 19, 2007, in this matter, and

In order to provide effective ministry and service to the community of Ellijay and its environs,

I do hereby decree that the Mission Church of Good Samaritan be raised to the status of a Parish, effective Midnight on the 19th day of the month of December in Year of Our Lord 2007. The new parish shall retain the name of Good Samaritan and shall celebrate its feast day each year on Divine Mercy Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter.

All persons heretofore members of the Mission of Good Samaritan, whether by domicile or by custom of registration, shall be members of the new Parish. The new Parish shall be comprised of that territory within the following boundaries: all of Gilmer County.

The voluntary offerings of the faithful and all other grants and bequests that have been made or will be made to the Mission shall constitute the revenue of the new Parish as the legal successor in interest to the Mission, as shall the financial assets and liabilities of the Mission. The pastor or administrator is to constitute a Parish Finance Council to advise him in matters of temporal administration. The pastor or administrator shall see that a new seal is made for the parish and shall forward the seal of the former Mission to the Archdiocesan Archives. Other actions and details to implement this decree, such as notification of title change to financial and other institutions, shall be attended to with diligence by the pastor or administrator, with the assistance of the appropriate Archdiocesan staff.

The appointment of a pastor or administrator and other such clergy as the diocesan ordinary may judge appropriate for the pastoral care and governance of the parish shall be made separately prior to the effective date of this decree.

Given in Atlanta, Georgia, this 19th day of the month of December in the Year of Our Lord 2007.

Wilton D. Gregory

Archbishop of Atlanta

DECREE Elevating The Status of The Mission Church of Saint Mary In The Municipality of Jackson, Georgia, To The Status Of A Parish

Whereas the People of God of Jackson, Georgia, have been served by the Mission of Saint Mary since 1960 and whereas the Catholic population of the area has increased, has shown its ability to sustain a Parish with its own ministries and activities in support of liturgy and spiritual formation, education and sacramental preparation, apostolic outreach and community service, and

Having heard the advice of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on December 19, 2007, in this matter, and

In order to provide effective ministry and service to the community of Jackson and its environs,

I do hereby decree that the Mission Church of Saint Mary be raised to the status of a Parish, effective Midnight on the first day of the month of January in Year of Our Lord 2008. The new parish shall assume the name of Saint Mary, Mother of God and shall celebrate its feast day each year on January 1, the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God.

All persons heretofore members of the Mission of Saint Mary, whether by domicile or by custom of registration, shall be members of the new Parish. The new Parish shall be comprised of that territory within the following boundaries: all of Butts and Jasper Counties.

The voluntary offerings of the faithful and all other grants and bequests that have been made or will be made to the Mission shall constitute the revenue of the new Parish as the legal successor in interest to the Mission, as shall the financial assets and liabilities of the Mission. The pastor or administrator is to constitute a Parish Finance Council to advise him in matters of temporal administration. The pastor or administrator shall see that a new seal is made for the parish and shall forward the seal of the former Mission to the Archdiocesan Archives. Other actions and details to implement this decree, such as notification of title change to financial and other institutions, shall be attended to with diligence by the pastor or administrator, with the assistance of the appropriate Archdiocesan staff.

The appointment of a pastor or administrator and other such clergy as the diocesan ordinary may judge appropriate for the pastoral care and governance of the parish shall be made separately prior to the effective date of this decree.

Given in Atlanta, Georgia, this first day of the month of January in the Year of Our Lord 2008.

Wilton D. Gregory

Archbishop of Atlanta