Sunday is dedicated to the Georgia Mission. A special collection will be taken in all the churches of the Archdiocese for this purpose.

In a score of places in northern Georgia, there is waiting for us a Catholic opportunity that is tremendous. These places exist in the rapidly growing towns near metropolitan Atlanta-they also exist where four or five counties are served by one priest and a chapel.

As one concrete result of the Georgia Mission Sunday Collection, the archdiocese purchased a Protestant church at Dahlonega. Previously, Mass was offered in a 20 x 18 room in a rented house nearby. Now the whole picture is changing. The Catholics of the surrounding area are proudly identified with their own “parish church,” Saint Luke’s.

The Rev. Leonard Spanjers, pastor at Saint Luke’s, has announced that a new additional lot has been purchased behind the church, which will be used for a rectory and classroom space for religious instruction. The lot lies directly behind the Presbyterian (now Catholic) church. Father Spanjers told The Georgia Bulletin:

“Our Glenmary Brothers’ building crew will begin remodeling around Easter time when the Presbyterians will discontinue use of the church which we have purchased. They are building a new plant and will move out when that is finished or (by contract) on June 1. In other words, our Catholic services won’t begin in the newly purchased church before Easter at earliest or June 1 at latest.”

Dahlonega is a prime example of the progress of the Catholic Church in the state of Georgia. Over 100 years ago, a few Catholics here used to travel 70 miles to Atlanta for Mass in the home of Patrick Lynch. Catholic roots in this attractive little community are very deep. Two years ago, the Glenmary Fathers came to Dahlonega and the surrounding four counties. They rented a home, and built a tiny chapel. In two years, the Catholic population rose from 25 to 70. Now a great opportunity has opened up.

Dahlonega is only one of many mission areas within the archdiocese which needs assistance. The faith grows only where it is established. It can persevere and prosper only where there is a church—the central place for community worship before the tabernacle. The generosity of the Catholic people of the archdiocese will speed the day when there will be a parish in each of the 53 present counties which are served only by missions.