Latest From Archbishop Gregory's Georgia Bulletin Column,"What I have Seen and Heard"-“Do you mind if I call you Father?” was the question from one of my young servers in the sacristy before the Notre Dame Academy Thanksgiving week Mass. Just as the principal was about to tell the young man my formal title, I intervened and told him that Father would be just fine with me!
Later that same week, as I was pulling into Our Lady of Victory Catholic School to celebrate a Grandparents Day Mass, the young crossing guard who was busy assisting the kids as they entered the church called out to me, “Welcome, Mr. Archbishop!” I get lots of titles—especially from little ones! And none of them is ever unwelcome or intentionally impolite”
In January, Justice for Immigrants (JFI), the national Catholic campaign for comprehensive immigration reform of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is launching a postcard campaign that calls for comprehensive immigration reform legislation that keeps immigrant families together, adopts smart and humane enforcement policies, and ensures that immigrants without legal status register with the government and begin a path toward citizenship. These postcards will be addressed to Georgia’s delegation in Washington, D.C.
If you would like your parish to participate, please speak with your pastor and obtain his approval. Then, please fill out this form and either scan and email it to Augusto Michael Trujillo at amtrujillo@archatl.com or fax it to (404) 888-7816.
Once these steps have been taken, you will serve as the JFI Coordinator, in charge of distributing the postcards to your parish. Requests for postcards are needed as soon as possible.
Please pray with us: God, our Father, we turn to you in this time of great need. We trust in your loving kindness and ask you to hear the prayers we offer for Your Church. Through your grace, we seek men and women willing to generously offer their lives to You in the priesthood and religious life, for You inspire and bring to fulfillment every good intention. Bless and guide those who are discerning Your call to holiness and service. Give them courage, steadfast love and a spirit of charity as they seek to respond faithfully to You. We offer this prayer for the Archdiocese of Atlanta and for the whole Church in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is Lord forever and ever.
My name is Ian Griffis and I have just started the seminary program for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Growing up, I attended St. Joseph's in Marietta and my spiritual life in the community there contributed to awakening the vocational call within me. Not that it was a steady, unwavering, sure choice but it was one that always came back to me, stronger each time. I am at the beginning of a new journey in my life and hope to fulfill this affirmation of my vocation to the priesthood. I am blessed to have the support and prayers of family, friends, and so many others to encourage me on the way!
Thank you! Join the Archdiocese of Atlanta 31 Club for Vocations
News
The Chancery is moving! In fact, the Office of Stewardship, The Office of Formation and Discipleship, The Office of Black Catholic Ministries, and Hispanic Ministries have already moved to our new location in Smyrna. Stay tuned, in the January newsletter, we will post a video of what the new building and its surroundings look like! Read More
The Stewardship Office has a December newsletter available. The newsletter, Stewardship: A Way of Life, hopes to assist parishes in their stewardship efforts by providing encouragement, ideas, a laugh or two, and timely reminders of upcoming stewardship events. Please forward this newsletter to your colleagues and pass their e-mail addresses on to Christine so she can add them to her mailing list. See the current issue here.
The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Second Collection will benefit Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Catholic Charities serves all people, regardless of religion, origin, race or background and last year served more than 14,000 families and individuals in north Georgia. To find out more about the services Catholic Charities provides and to donate online go to- http://www.catholiccharitiesatlanta.org/
Upcoming Events
Dec 26-30 - Marks the tenth anniversary of the St. Pius High School Christmas Classic Basketball Tournament. Teams from around the country are participating. For more information go to: http://www.spx.org/
January 3-9 - National Migration Week. This year’s theme is “Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice. Individuals, families, schools and parishes can use the following educational resources to learn about the complex issues surrounding migration- http://www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw/index.shtml
Jan 9- Called and Gifted Workshop will take place at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is in Smyrna. The workshop is a Catholic gift-discernment program designed to help individuals identify their spiritual gifts and charisms. For more information call 404-885-7413 or email ofd@archatl.com
Jan 22- The Annual Mass For the Unborn will take place at 10:00am at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, preceded by a Rosary for Life at 9:30. Mass will be concelebrated by Archbishop Gregory and priests of the Archdiocese at 10:00. For more information on the day’s events go to: http://www.archatl.com/ministries/prolife/
My name is Ian Griffis and I have just started the seminary program for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Growing up, I attended St. Joseph's in Marietta and my spiritual life in the community there contributed to awakening the vocational call within me. Not that it was a steady, unwavering, sure choice but it was one that always came back to me, stronger each time. I am at the beginning of a new journey in my life and hope to fulfill this affirmation of my vocation to the priesthood. I am blessed to have the support and prayers of family, friends, and so many others to encourage me on the way!
Thank you!