Father Brian Bufford

Father Brian Bufford
Photo By Michael Alexander

Age: 28

Born: July 29, 1986, in Augusta

Family: The son of Webb and Sue Bufford and the brother of Stephen Bufford, all of Washington, Georgia.

Education: Bachelor of business administration, 2008, Augusta State University; master of divinity degree and bachelor of sacred theology, 2015, St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Ill.

Hobbies: Reading, movies, swimming, running

What ministries interest you most: Sacramental preparation, youth ministry, Scripture study

First assignment: Transfiguration Church, Marietta

Bible verses that inspire you: 1 John 3:1: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

Vocation story: “The priesthood was something I felt at a young age and that persisted throughout high school and college. In spring 2009, I finally decided to pursue the call and have found it to be affirming and fulfilling ever since.”

What surprised you about your ministry as a transitional deacon? “The diaconate has been a period where God has deepened my desire to minister to His people.”

How have you changed since entering seminary? “I have felt the Lord transform me to see how He is actively at work both in my life and in the lives of others.”

Father Jorge Carranza

Father Jorge Carranza
Photo By Michael Alexander

Age: 33

Born: Oct. 26, 1981, in Chicago

Family: The son of Martin and Bertha Carranza of Calhoun and the brother of Janet Rivera of Stone Mountain and Ivan Carranza of Acworth.

Education: Bachelor of liberal arts, 2010, St. Joseph Seminary College, St. Benedict, La.; master of divinity degree, 2015, St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pa.

Hobbies: Soccer, hiking, running, working out in the gym

Languages: English, Spanish

What ministries interest you most: Youth ministry, charismatic renewal, breaking open the Word.

First assignment: Good Shepherd Church, Cumming

Bible verses that inspire you: Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

Vocation story: “The Word of God spoke to me in my heart, and I decided to discern the vocation and make a leap of faith.”

What surprised you about your ministry as a transitional deacon? “The way that Christ uses you as an instrument to communicate his grace and love onto others during the liturgy.”

Father Branson Scott Hipp

Father Branson Hipp
Photo By Michael Alexander

Age: 26

Born: Feb. 25, 1989, in Haubstadt, Ind.

Family: The son of Mark and Jan Hipp of Fayetteville and the brother of Dustin Hipp of Houston, Texas, Devin Hipp of Virginia Beach, Va., and Miah Hipp of Atlanta.

Education: Bachelor of arts in philosophy, 2011, St. Joseph Seminary College, St. Benedict, La.; master of divinity degree, 2015, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.

Hobbies: Playing racquetball, hiking/backpacking, tennis and reading.

Languages: English, Spanish

What ministries interest you most: Confession

First assignment: St. Patrick Church, Norcross

Bible verses that inspire you: Psalm 4:6: “‘What can bring us happiness?’ many say. Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.”

Vocation story: “I was involved with the youth group at Holy Trinity Church in Peachtree City and started to seriously consider following Christ in the priesthood my senior year of high school. After much prayer and discernment, I applied for the Archdiocese of Atlanta in the fall of 2007.”

What surprised you about your ministry as a transitional deacon? “It has been even more joyful and beautiful than I anticipated.”

How have you changed since entering seminary? “I entered seminary right out of high school, still very much discerning what the Lord wanted for my life. A great deal happens in eight years of seminary, but one of my greatest joys has been the opportunity to learn Spanish and work with the Hispanic community in Atlanta. The vast majority of the baptisms I have done have been in Spanish and were incredibly beautiful events.”

Father Timothy Edward Nadolski

Father Timothy E. Nadolski
Photo By Michael Alexander

Age: 26

Born: Nov. 4, 1988, in Atlanta

Family: The son of Robert and Nancy Nadolski of Sandy Springs and the brother of Erin Nadolski Lewis of Rome, Stephen Nadolski of Charleston, S.C., and Michael Nadolski of Jasper.

Education: St. Pius X High School, Atlanta; one year at Berry College, Rome; entered seminary after freshman year of college; bachelor’s degree in Latin American studies, 2011; master of divinity degree, 2015, Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio.

Hobbies: Aviation, traveling and golf. Hopes to get private pilot’s license.

Languages: English and Spanish

What ministries interest you most: Working with Spanish speakers, marriage preparation, and bringing God’s healing mercy through the sacrament of confession.

First assignment: St. Joseph Church, Dalton

Bible verses that inspire you: “You are a priest forever according to Melchizedek of old.”

Vocation story: “I entered the seminary a year after my freshman year of college. I felt God calling me to service throughout my life, but it was not until then that I really heard the call to service as a priest.”

What surprised you about your ministry as a transitional deacon? “Being a deacon is all about service. … And it is important to spend time as a deacon as it instills that servant’s heart—the heart of Christ. This past year as a deacon, I have been able to minister in ways that I could not do before. I have enjoyed getting to preach—both in the seminary and in parishes. I have learned a great deal about preaching by doing it. It is a humbling experience, and I take to heart the words of the archbishop in his homily at my diaconate ordination, ‘Preaching is not lecturing, it is not entertainment, it is not a diatribe; but the motivating witness of Christ in your own life that seeks to inspire others to believe and to accept the demands of the Gospel.’ These words have helped me in my preaching to do my best to gently lead others more closely to Christ.”

Father Mark Thomas

Father Mark Thomas
Photo By Michael Alexander

Age: 53

Born: Dec. 1, 1961, in Holland, Mich.

Family: The son of James and Mary Thomas of Franklin, N.C., and brother of Cindy Lassahn of La Plata, Md., Charlie Thomas of Leesburg, Ala., and Rob Thomas of Madison, Miss.

Education: Bachelor of arts in economics, 1986, Georgia State University; master’s degree in school administration, 2005, Campbell University, Buies Creek, N.C.; master of divinity degree, 2015, Notre Dame Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, New Orleans.

Hobbies: Visiting historic sites, reading, watching Braves games, hiking in the mountains of north Georgia and western North Carolina, and sitting on front porches and chatting with friends and neighbors.

What ministries interest you most: Prison, Catholics Come Home, ministry to the homebound, hospital ministry, young adult ministry to married couples and singles, ministry to the aged, bereavement, and outreach to military families. Pro-life ministry is very important, as is promoting NFP and adoption.

First assignment: St. John Vianney Church, Lithia Springs

Bible verses that inspire you: Micah 6:8: “You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Also: 1 John 4:7-15.

What surprised you about your ministry as a transitional deacon? “I was blessed to be assigned to St. Peter Chanel during my transitional diaconate. I was surprised that they already had seven permanent deacons. I learned from each one of them, they all had something special to offer to the faithful and to me. They took me under their wings, guided me and helped give me confidence. God bless the parishioners at SPC. They were so supportive!”