The parish of St. Paul the Apostle Church is hosting a series of presentations as part of the ongoing Year of St Paul.

The church is one of two pilgrim churches for the Atlanta Archdiocese. The other parish is Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Decatur.

The Cleveland church, under the leadership of administrator Father Vincent Sullivan, has organized a program for the next eight months, which draws on resources from films, books by theologians and discussions. The programs are to take place on the last Saturday of each month. The first event is scheduled for Nov. 29 with attention on Paul’s writings to the Romans and the topic of salvation.

The Year of St. Paul was established to encourage Catholics to study St. Paul in Scripture. To mark the occasion, a number of commemorative, liturgical and scholarly events are being held throughout the world.

The programs at the Cleveland church will enable all pilgrims to satisfy the requirements for gaining a plenary indulgence.

To obtain the Pauline Year indulgence, Catholics should visit one of the pilgrimage churches and take part in a prayer service that includes a reading from St. Paul. The indulgence may also be obtained at the liturgies of the archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress in June 2009. Detachment from sin, holy Communion, sacramental confession and prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are also required.

The parish has organized the program to serve those traveling to Cleveland as pilgrims. A welcome packet with a prayer card, schedule of events, and information about how to gain the plenary indulgence will be distributed to visitors.

On the Saturdays devoted to St. Paul, events begin at 3 p.m. with an opening prayer followed by a reading of the Scripture from St. Paul. There will be time for meditation and celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation before the Saturday Mass at 5 p.m. A light supper in the parish hall will be provided, followed by the workshop until 9 p.m.

The workshops will focus on various topics discussed by St. Paul.

The upcoming schedule is: Dec. 27, 1 and 2 Corinthians and community; Jan. 24, Galatians and baptism and life; Feb. 28, Ephesians and family; March 28, Philippians and joy; April 25, Colossians and wisdom and understanding; May 30, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and faithfulness; and June 20, Timothy, Titus, Hebrews and leadership.

For pilgrims in need of accommodations, phone the St. Paul the Apostle office in advance at (706) 865-4474 for a possible stay in Catholic homes. Other accommodations include the popular Helendorf River Inn at (706) 878-2271 and Gabby’s Cabins at (706) 865-6772.