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To: Priests
From: Monsignor James Schillinger, Director, Ongoing Formation of Priests
For as long as I can remember, Fall has always been the time chosen for major gatherings of the priests of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Our Convocation of Priests, held every two years during the month of September, assembles all priests ministering in the Archdiocese. On alternate years, usually in August or September, we offer our Priests’ Retreat. This optional event brings together a large number of brother priests. Fall is also the chosen time for the Provincial Assembly of Bishops and Priests. Also held biennially, the Provincial Assembly brings together all the bishops as well as a large number of priests from all five dioceses of the Province of Atlanta. Each diocese takes their turn in hosting the Provincial Assembly.
Each of these meetings is an important moment in the life of our local Church and, without a doubt, affords us a valuable opportunity for the fostering of priestly fraternity and support. It is our hope that you all make an effort to participate.
This year, we will be offering the Priests’ Retreat. (The Convocation of Priests and the Provincial Assembly will be offered in 2020.)
We are most fortunate and I am delighted that Abbot Justin Brown, O.S.B. of St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana has agreed to be our director for this year. Abbot Justin is well known by many of our priests and seminarians and several have actually recommended him to our ongoing formation committee.
The retreat will be held at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, GA from Monday, September 15 through Friday, September 20. It will begin and end with lunch on those dates.
Registration is $850 for single occupancy and $650 for double occupancy. Your parish/ministry is responsible for this expense. The annual allowance each priest has available for costs associated with an annual retreat is $850.
Attached you will find the retreat registration form. We have also mailed a copy of this letter and registration form to each of you.
Please complete the form, and mail it with your payment to the attention of Amanda Hailey at the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The registration deadline is August 9, 2019, but for planning purposes, it would be helpful to receive registrations earlier.
I hope you will plan to be with us. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact at jschillinger@archatl.com or 404-931-7913.