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)
