Saint Oliver Plunkett, Snellville
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Parish History
A Georgia Bulletin news story of March 15, 1978 announced that a new parish was being established in Snellville, Georgia. On Thursday, April 13, 1978, Fr. Terence Kane was appointed as first Pastor.
Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan, aware of the rapid growth in the Snellville area, purchased 10.28 acres of land in 1977, so that the Catholic families could have a parish of their own.
On June 18,1978, approximately 350 Catholics from South Gwinnett assembled for the first Sunday Mass in the Snellville parish. The second Sunday Liturgy was celebrated on June 25 by Archbishop Donnellan who came to officially install Fr. Kane as pastor.
A rectory was purchased at 1318 Summit Chase Drive. All daily Masses were celebrated and all meetings were held there for the next three years, and in 1979 a parish council was established to coordinate all parish activities.
Plans were conceived for our new 14,000 square foot parish complex in late 1979 and early 1980, and on September 21, 1980 the congregation broke ground. Nine months later, on the parish's third anniversary, June 21, Archbishop Donnellan dedicated the new facility.
The parish continued to grow in size and spirit and the parish staff was enhanced by the ordination of Deacon John G. Cicala on August 25, 1984 at St. Oliver's by Archbishop Donnellan.
On June 20, 1985 the founding Pastor, Fr. Kane was transferred, and Father Joseph Beltran assumed the responsibility of pastor.
On, July 1, 1990, the Feast of St. Oliver Plunkett, the parish family celebrated the burning of the first mortgage. In July, 1991, at the request of the Archbishop of Atlanta, the Missionaries of La Salette assumed pastoral care of St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church. Fr. Thomas Carroll, M.S., and Fr. Michael Flanagan, M.S., were the missionaries assigned to the parish.
After several major repairs to the property, in the middle of his
second year Fr. Carroll looked into the building of the new church. This
facility was dedicated by Archbishop Donoghue on
November 19, 1994.
Saint Oliver, Patron Saint of the Parish
Oliver Plunkett was born in Loughcrew in County Meath, Ireland on November 1, 1625. In 1647, he went to study for the priesthood in the Irish College in Rome. On January 1, 1654, he wasordained a priest in the Propaganda College in Rome.
Due to religious persecution in his native land, it was not possible for him to return to minister to his people. Oliver taught in Rome until 1669, when he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland. Archbishop Plunkett soon established himself as a man of peace and, with religious fervor, set about visiting his people, establishing schools, ordaining priests, and confirming thousands.
1673 brought a renewal of religious persecution, and bishops were banned by edict. Archbishop Plunkett went into hiding, suffering a great deal from cold and hunger. His many letters showed his determination not to abandon his people, but to remain a faithful shepherd. He thanked God "who gave us the grace to suffer for the chair of Peter." The persecution eased a little and he was able to move more openly among his people. In 1679 he was arrested and falsely charged with treason. The government in power could not get him convicted at his trial in Dundalk. He was brought to London and was unable to defend himself because he was not given time to bring his own witnesses from Ireland. He was put on trial, and with the help of perjured witnesses, was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. With deep serenity of soul, he was prepared to die, calmly rebutting the charge of treason, refusing to save himself by giving false evidence against his brother bishops. Oliver Plunkett publicly forgave all those who were responsible for his death on July 1, 1681. On October 12, 1975, he was canonized a saint.