Sacred Heart Elevated to Basilica In Joyous Mass

The ringing of the new tintinnabulum marked the beginning of a joyous celebration of the Eucharist on Saturday, Aug. 21, honoring the elevation of Sacred Heart Church to the status of minor basilica, the only church in Georgia to hold the title.

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory entered the packed sanctuary following an ornate procession of clergy, including deacons, more than 30 priests, pastor Father T.J. Meehan, Atlanta Auxiliary Bishop Luis Zarama and Archbishop-emeritus John F. Donoghue.

Photo: Pots of flowers adorn the entrance of Sacred Heart Basilica, Atlanta, where a new symbol was placed above its doors to mark the historic building’s elevation to a minor basilica. (Photo by Thomas Spink)

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Dedicated Lawyers Her Legacy As Sue Colussy Retires

ATLANTA—The job description wouldn’t have enticed many up and coming lawyers.

“They wanted somebody who would work for nothing, and I thought of you,” Sue Colussy’s friend told her.

Retelling the story now, Colussy laughs just as hard as she probably did 25 years ago.

Photo: Sue Colussy was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award at the July gathering of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) in New Orleans. The Fulton, N.Y., native is a graduate of Georgia State University’s law school. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

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CRS Meets With Parishes About Haiti Partnerships

ATLANTA—Representatives from nearly a dozen Georgia parishes met with Catholic Relief Services’ staff Aug. 19 to continue a discussion on how they can work together to increase the effectiveness of their partnerships with Catholics in Haiti.

Parishes from Savannah to Cumming gathered in the social hall at the Cathedral of Christ the King, eager to share their stories and to hear others’ experiences twinning with parishes in the Caribbean country, the poorest in the Americas.

Photo: Catholic Relief Services Atlanta program officer Simone Blanchard listens to a local parishioner give suggestions on how CRS can be more active and effective on the parish level. Nearly a dozen parishes were represented at the luncheon, which focused on relief efforts in Haiti, on Aug. 19. (Photos by Stephen O’Kane)

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Retired Marist Father Eugene Hughes, 80, Dies

ATLANTA—Marist Father Eugene Hughes served the church for more than five decades, teaching in classrooms and working in parishes.

Father Hughes, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the North East Atlanta Health and Rehabilitation Center, in Atlanta, while he was recovering from a car crash.

Photo: Father Eugene Hughes, SM

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