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12-04-2017
2017 Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Celebrations
To: Pastors, Parochial Vicars, Directors/Coordinators of Hispanic Ministry and Parish Bulletin Editors
From: Jairo Martinez, Director, Office of Intercultural and Ethnic Diversity
Attached is a list of celebrations taking place in the parishes and missions of the Archdiocese of Atlanta to commemorate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas.
The information contains locations, times and dates. If you need more details, please call the phone number listed under each event/parish.
Thank you.
National Federation of Priests’ Council Weekly Newsletter – December 4, 2017
Click here to view the National Federation of Priests’ Council weekly newsletter.
Media Coverage of The Archdiocese of Atlanta – Week Ending December 1, 2017
To: Priests, Deacons, Brothers, Sisters, Principals, Parish and Chancery Staff
From: Paula Gwynn Grant, Director, Office of Communications
It has been another week of positive coverage for The Archdiocese of Atlanta in the news and in The Georgia Bulletin.
In case you missed any, please see below for links to this week’s featured stories:
National and Local News
• Marist School names new president
• Teenagers from the Archdiocese of Atlanta attend National Catholic Youth Conference
• Dioceses Hope to Raise Millions with #iGiveCatholic Campaign for Giving Tuesday
• Community encouraged to make donation with #iGiveCatholic during ‘Giving Tuesday’
• Cobb Catholic Coalition sponsors two Habitat for Humanity homes
The Georgia Bulletin
• Covenant House vigil a memorial to young lives lost
• Cathedral prayer service focuses on ecumenical conversation
• Roswell parishioners gather for prayer, seek unity with Lutheran neighbor
• #iGiveCatholic campaign rallies faith community to support nonprofits
• Toolbox program a useful, timely business crash course for priests
• Students Witness Baptism of Coach’s Daughter
Please share this information in your bulletin, newsletters, websites and social media.
Thank you.
Young Adult Consultation Report & Recommendations
To: Priests, Deacons, Parish Leaders and Campus Ministers
From: Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta
As a contribution to the preparations for the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Archdiocese of Atlanta collaborated with the McGrath Institute for Church Life to conduct a two-part, on-site consultation (March 30, 2017) focusing on parish ministry to young adults. The Consultation engaged representatives of pastoral leaders and young adults from the archdiocese.
Below is a summary of the consultation findings. From the surveys that pastoral leaders completed, the following results are the most common:
1. Pastoral leaders report that there are few to no existing programs or sustained efforts in their parishes specifically for the benefit of young adults.
a. host semi-regular but informal gatherings for young adults that are more social in nature, possibly with a “spiritual touch”
b. only real contact with young adults is relative to young parents whose children are in religious education programs
c. express interest in trying to extend youth programming (ages 12-18) into the young adult realm
2. Pastoral leaders would like to be able to offer young adults:
a. bible studies and/or faith sharing groups
b. “field trips” (aka, pilgrimages) to Catholic places
c. welcoming atmosphere
3. Pastoral leaders would like to see the archdiocese offer:
a. training for ministering to young adults
b. retreats (“Awakening,” our diocesan sponsored college student retreat was mentioned numerous times)
c. pilgrimages
d. educational opportunities, both for leaders and young adults (e.g.
lectures, speakers, online resources, video resources, books)
e. regular gatherings for those who minister to young adults
In response to the question about what pastoral leaders think young adults need most, there were three typical answers:
a. Community: the belief is that young adults are looking for a place to belong, a place to get to know others and share their lives
b. Sense of Purpose: the belief is that young adults are looking for how to live lives filled with meaning, where they believe in what they are doing and who they are becoming – looking for a “why” for “what” they do
c. Mentoring: the belief is that young adults are looking for guidance from those who not only share valuable wisdom and faith with them, but also witness to what they profess in their own lives
From the conversations and questionnaires gathered from young adults, the following results were most common and noteworthy:
a.Young adults agree that community is important and is something they want.
b.Young adults desire mentoring.
c.Young adults placed a distinctive and strong emphasis on thesacraments as important to their religious lives. They desire more accessto the sacraments and to build their communities around thesacraments.
d.Similarly, young adults pointed out the importance of devotions likeAdoration, Stations of the Cross and the rosary for their religious lives.They want to increase their commitment to such devotions.
e.Young adults placed a distinctive and strong emphasis on the desire tolearn about the faith. They want to become knowledgeable about whatthe Church believes and be more informed and more articulate abouttheir faith and the faith.
f.Young adults placed a distinctive and strong emphasis on developingtheir lives of prayer. They want to become more consistent in prayer andlearn how to “do it better.”
g.Young adults placed a distinctive and strong emphasis on the need foraccountability in their lives (as persons of faith) and developing stronghabits (prayer, charity, liturgical participation, etc.).
The above conclusions from this consultation were created from at least four factors:
a. Pastoral leaders representing parishes from throughout the archdiocese
b. FOCUS groups of 100+ young adults from across the archdiocese
c. Survey of the pastoral leaders who attended the consultation day
d. Sociological research on the needs of and opportunities for young adults in the Church and data McGrath Institute collected from other Catholic community consultations (parish, campus, diocesan and national).
A complete copy of the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Catholic Young Adult Consultation Report and Recommendations conducted by the McGrath Institute for Church Life is available.
For more information or to receive a complete copy, please contact Amy Daniels, Director of the Office of Formation & Discipleship at adaniels@archatl.com.
Comprehensive Immigration Report No. 211
To: Priests, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and Diocese of Savannah
From: Frank Mulcahy, Georgia Catholic Conference, (404) 920-7367 fmulcahy@georgiacc.org
Share the Journey Continues. Several weeks ago, Archbishop Gregory gathered leaders of other faiths and faithful of the Archdiocese of Atlanta to inaugurate the “Share the Journey” campaign introduced by Pope Francis. This campaign will last for two years and focus on the humanity of migrants and refugees around the world. The USCCB Justice for Immigrants campaign has prepared an excellent toolkit to progress through Advent with migrants and refugees in mind. Click here to find useful ideas.
Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace Message. Following a fifty-year papal tradition, Pope Francis has issued a statement in advance of World Day of Peace (January 1, 2018). The Holy Father emphasized four “mileposts for action” necessary to allow migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and trafficking victims the opportunity to find peace; including welcoming them, protecting and defending “the inviolable dignity of those who flee,” promoting integral human development and integrating them into society. Doing so enriches both those arriving and those welcoming. Read the Holy Father’s statement about men and women in search of peace.
Confused By Immigration Law? Immigration law is complex, but Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) offers training at all levels. You won’t become an expert, but a fundamentals program can help sorting out information for beginners.
ICYMI – This is Not News for Many in Georgia, But ICE Enforcement is Increasing Here. The New York Times recently reported on increase immigration enforcement in Georgia. Under the current administration, any undocumented individuals are vulnerable to deportation, not just those with a significant criminal record.
Para: Sacerdotes, diáconos, hermanos y hermanas de la Arquidiócesis de Atlanta y la Diócesis de Savannah
De: Frank Mulcahy, Georgia Catholic Conference, (404) 920-7367 fmulcahy@georgiacc.org
La campaña “Compartiendo el Viaje continúa… Hace algunas semanas el Arzobispo Gregory se reunió con líderes de otras religiones y con personas de la arquidiócesis para inaugurar la campaña “Compartiendo el Viaje” la cual fue introducida por el Papa Francisco. La campaña tendrá un período de duración de dos años y se enfocará en la humanidad de los inmigrantes y refugiados de todo el mundo. La campaña de Justicia por los Inmigrantes de la USCCB ha preparado un excelente paquete de herramientas para el Adviento, el cual ofrece sugerencias útiles y tiene en cuenta a los inmigrantes y a los refugiados.
Mensaje del Papa Francisco para la Jornada Mundial de la Paz. Siguiendo una tradición papal de cincuenta años, el Papa Francisco ha emitido una declaración en anticipación a la Jornada Mundial de la Paz (1 de enero, 2018). El Santo Padre enfatizó cuatro “piedras angulares para la acción” necesarias para permitir que los migrantes, los refugiados, las víctimas de tráfico humano y aquellos que buscan asilo tengan la oportunidad de encontrar la paz, incluyendo acoger, proteger y defender “la dignidad inviolable de aquellos que huyen”, promover el desarrollo humano integral e integrarlos a la sociedad. Hacer esto enriquece tanto a los recién llegados como a aquellos que los reciben. Lee la declaración sobre los hombres y las mujeres que buscan la paz.
¿Confundido por las leyes de inmigración? Las leyes de inmigración son complejas pero la Red de Inmigración Legal Católica (CLINIC por sus siglas en inglés) ofrece herramientas de capacitación para todos los niveles. Usted no se convertirá en un experto, pero un programa básico puede ayudarlo a catalogar la información que le interesa.
En caso de que se lo haya perdido – Aduanas (ICE por sus siglas en inglés) está aumentando las detenciones aquí. El New York Times informó recientemente sobre el aumento de detenciones de inmigrantes ilegales en Georgia. Bajo la administración actual, cualquier indocumentados es vulnerable a la deportación, no solo aquellos con un record criminal significativo.