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About The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 1987)
The Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta Vol. 25 No. 19 Thursday, May 7, 1987 $12.00 Per Year Archbishop Improves Following Stroke BY GRETCHEN REISER Archbishop Thomas Donnellan was in stable condition and improving this week, following a stroke he suffered at his residence Friday afternoon, May 1. He is in intensive care at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. “There’s been a remarkable improvement in him in the last few days,” said Monsignor John McDonough, vicar general of the archdiocese, on Monday. Monsignor McDonough is overseeing the ongoing work of the arch diocese during the archbishop’s illness. During a visit with him Monday, Archbishop Donnellan assented to the appointment of Monsignor McDonough and Monsignor Donald Kiernan, pastor of All Saints parish in Dunwoody, as extraordinary ministers of Confirmation to carry on, as normally as possible, the schedule of Confir mation services in parishes, the vicar general said. News of the archbishop’s illness spread throughout the parishes last weekend as people gathered for Mass and were asked to pray for the archbishop, who is 73 years old. In the midst of a busy spring schedule, which included many Confirmation ceremonies, the upcoming celebration of thejCathedral’s 50th anniversary and participation in the ecumenical National Workshop on Christian Unity, Arch bishop Donnellan was principal celebrant last Thursday night at the Mass dedicating the new St. Andrew’s Church in Roswell. On Friday he had already cancelled weekend and daily appointments and was resting at his residence. In mid-afternoon he was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital accompanied by Father James Schillinger, the secretary to the archbishop. He was admitted at about 3 p.m. St. Andrew's Church Dedicated In Roswell BY PAULA DAY “Not only is a building being dedicated, but also a people,” said Archbishop Thomas Donnellan as he spoke to the parishioners of St. Andrew’s parish in Roswell during the dedication of their new church, Thursday evening, April 30. “Most of all, we dedicate you as a living temple where God will be at home and where the loving hands of Christ will reach out to those in need,” the archbishop continued in his homily at the dedication Mass. For the people of St. Andrew’s, some of whom have waited six years, the blessing of their place of worship was momentous. “Such a feeling of relief and joy to be in this new building,” remarked Mary Apps, chairperson of the parish Art and Sewing Committee, whose members made 20 matching stoles for the visiting priests to wear at the dedication ceremony. “We’re ready to grow now,” observed Jean Rearick of the Building Committee. “It’s kind of stifling, praying in an office warehouse,” she added, referring to the rented area in the Northridge Business Park where the parish com munity has worshipped the past five and a half years. Thirteen-year-old Adam Vodanovich was enthusiastic. “We moved here from Louisiana where a church had just been finished a month or so. Same story here. I’m really happy — we’re going to be here awhile.” In his homily Archbishop Donnellan reflected on the emo tional bond that connects parishioners to their native parish. The house where one was reared may become the home of strangers, he said. But the parish church where (Continued on page 13) Nancy Wood, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said Wednesday that the archbishop had shown continued im provement. The archbishop’s attending physician described it as a small stroke, Ms. Wood said. Father Peter Ludden, chancellor, said that the stroke af fected the right side, but that improvement in movement was taking place. “There is speech impairment right now, but that is improving,” he said. Meeting with the archbishop on Monday, Father Ludden said, “he does understand what is happening and is respon ding very positively. We’re very pleased.” Monsignor McDonough said his role as vicar general would be to continue “the ordinary things in the absence of the archbishop.” “The things that have to be done will be done and we’ll take it day after day,” he said. Preliminary plans were being made Monday to take care of the immediate needs, including the planned ordinations on two Saturdays in May of 51 permanent deacons for the archdiocese who are at the end of three years of prepara tion for ministry. Bishop Raymond Lessard of Savannah 5 will be asked to ordain the deacons, if his schedule permits, w Monsignor McDonough said. Other bishops will be asked if o Bishop Lessard is unable to ordain the deacons as schedul- g ed. “We decided not to postpone the ordination unless it is ® absolutely necessary,” he said, adding that this was one of the matters brought to the archbishop at the hospital. The 50th anniversary celebration of the Cathedral was (Continued on page 7) ARCHBISHOP DONNELLAN preaches in March at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Historic Class Of 51 Deacons Readies For May Ordinations BY RITA McINERNEY Three years of prayer, study and dedication will culminate on May 16 and 23 when 51 men are scheduled to be ordained as permanent deacons during liturgies at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Twenty-seven men are scheduled to be ordained on Saturday, May 16, while 24 will be consecrated on May 23. During the ceremony Deacon Walter Bedard, of Holy Cross parish in Atlanta, director of the permanent diaconate for the archdiocese, will call the names of the candidates. Each can didate and his family will stand before the presiding bishop and the wives will voice wholehearted support of the spiritual commitment their spouses are about to make. After that, Father William Hoffman, pastor of St. Jude’s, Sandy Springs, former director of the diaconate, will testify that the candidates have been found worthy to be consecrated in this ancient church of fice. One candidate, Richard Beckman, 61, of St. John the Evangelist Church in Hapeville, a bachelor, will take the vow of celibacy. While this historically large class of deacons prepares, this will be the first year in at least 19 years that no ordination to the priesthood for Atlanta will take place. The candidates, who range in age from early 40s to 70, combined a heavy load of studies with the demands of family and parish, and the pressures of work. Some succeeded in completing the three- year course despite frequent traveling required in their work. The program called for their attendance each Saturday from September until May at class which began at 9 a.m. and continued until 2:30 p.m. at St. Pius X High School, Marist School or Holy Cross Church. Classes were followed by an hour of homilectic practice. While 14 members of the class were from Holy Cross parish and the ma jority from parishes in the metropolitan area, a few came from as far away as Carrollton and Clarkesville. The final gathering of the candidates took place at a five-day retreat preparing them for ordina tion in early May. While at Simpsonwood Retreat Center in Norcross they had a great deal of time for reflection on the important step just ahead. (Continued on page 8)
