Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Young people at Transfiguration Church say prayers with Mercy Bags they helped prepare. The bags were given away as part of the community’s outreach.   

Parish highlights opportunities to serve 

Published June 15, 2023

MARIETTA—Transfiguration Serves is a parish-wide initiative of the church community to create opportunities to serve those in need and live the Gospel.  

The most recent project was creating Mercy Bags of snacks and hygiene to distribute to people who are homeless. The entire parish donated items, and families at Family Faith sessions assembled 494 snack bags and 200 hygiene bags. Each family took a Mercy Bag to keep in their car to be able to share if they met someone in need. 

Another team took to the streets in Marietta to reach those in need. Participants heard poignant stories with the opportunity to pray and share a Mercy Bag. 

A parish member named Kara and her daughter said it was an eye-opening experience.  

“You hear about how homelessness is a problem, but seeing it for yourself, hearing people’s stories and seeing how it’s changed their lives really makes it feel more real,” she said. 

One of the people they met talked about school and Spanish and dance, and it helped them realize all people need love. 

In conjunction with the Catholic Social Teaching Ministry, speakers have presented topics on issues of affordable housing in Cobb County, Thy Kingdom Come (concerns crucial to the church and humanity’s future from Pope Francis) and death penalty and criminal legal reform.  


Ideas and submissions for Notable may be send to Staff Writer Andrew Nelson by email to acnelson@georgiabulletin.org.