Whereas the People of God of Jefferson and its environs have been served by the Mission of Saint Catherine Labouré 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 the 19th day of the month of January in the Year of Our Lord 2011 in this matter, and

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

I do hereby decree that the Mission of Saint Catherine Labouré be raised to the status of Parish, effective Midnight on the 19th day of the month of January in the Year of Our Lord 2011. The new parish shall retain the name of Saint Catherine Labouré and shall celebrate its feast day on the 25th day of November each year.

All persons heretofore members of the Mission of Saint Catherine Labouré, whether by domicile or by the 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 Banks County and the portion of Jackson County to Highway 129.

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 January in the Year of Our Lord 2011.

Wilton D. Gregory

Archbishop of Atlanta