Photo By Michael AlexanderSmyrna
Chapel Blessing Completes Chancery Move
By STEPHEN O'KANE, Staff Writer | Published June 9, 2011
Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory officially welcomed employees of the Chancery during the May 26 blessing of the chapel located at the new building, saying the move from Midtown is complete now that the Eucharist has taken up residence at the Smyrna offices on Lake Park Drive.
“This, in a real sense, does complete our move … because this place becomes the Lord’s office,” the archbishop told the crowd gathered in the chapel. “It is where he will reside and where we will come to pray.”
Located just inside the main doors of the new facility, the modest chapel is larger than the former worship space in Midtown, an office building known as “680” to employees because of its address on West Peachtree Street.
Patterned glass doors and windows at the rear provide a glimpse into the 65-seat chapel, while three intricate stained glass windows of Mary and the child Jesus, St. Joseph, and St. Dominic cover the south wall. The new chapel was named after St. Dominic, selected by Archbishop Gregory as the Spanish saint was his chosen confirmation patron saint.
The chapel will be the site of daily Mass for employees during the week and Eucharistic adoration during business hours on the first Friday of every month.
Auxiliary Bishop Luis Zarama sits in prayerful reflection following holy Communion. Photo By Michael Alexander
The archbishop expressed his delight in the prospect of visitors joining the Lake Park workers for Mass.
“Each day we will offer the Eucharist here and, as happened down at 680, I have no doubt that some of our neighbors who are employees in this area will soon know that there is a midday Mass here.”
“I’m thankful for all the people that have worked so hard to make this space good for all of us,” he said.
Following the distribution of the hosts, Archbishop Gregory placed the Eucharist in the Chancery tabernacle for the first time as the candle signifying the presence of the Lord was lit.
Auxiliary Bishop Luis Zarama, vicar general Msgr. Joe Corbett and chancellor Deacon Dennis Dorner were all present for the blessing with a standing-room-only crowd of archdiocesan staffers. At the end of the celebration, the procession of priests and deacons continued outside where Archbishop Gregory blessed the front of the office building as well.
All of the archdiocesan offices are now located in the Lake Park office building, except Catholic Charities Atlanta, which will remain in the Midtown Catholic Center until that building has been sold.
“Today the move is complete because he joins us,” Archbishop Gregory told the crowd. “He has a space now, a place to be in our midst. … Here is where we will encounter the Lord.”
“May his presence in our midst in the place where we work … make our work more fruitful, make us more effective and strengthen the faith of all who pause here in this chapel dedicated to St. Dominic,” the archbishop said. “May they know the Lord’s peace. May they know the Lord’s presence.”