The Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Men held an organizational dinner meeting on Sunday, April 7, 1963 at St. Jude the Apostle School. Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan was the guest speaker and presented his thoughts about the future of the diocesan council as a service organization to the parishes of the archdiocese. The Rev. John D. Stapleton, spiritual moderator of the Archdiocesan Council of the Catholic Men, presided.

The following officers were elected: Mr. Ferdinand Buckley, St. Jude’s parish, Atlanta, president; Mr. Herbert Farnsworth, Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, vice president; Mr. Raymond Jabaley, St. Peter’s LaGrange, secretary; and Mr. Ed. Lintz, St. John’s, Hapeville, treasurer.

A committee was appointed to make specific recommendations as to the programs and course of the diocesan council for the coming year. This committee was composed of the officers and the following men; Mr. Paul Smith, Sts. Peter and Paul; George A. Andrews, St. Thomas More; Gerald Delbrugge, St. Gerard; Roscoe Thomas, St. Paul of the Cross; and Norman Berry, St. Jude The Apostle.

The archdiocesan board, whose purpose is to promote the full development of the lay apostolate in the archdiocese (through services to parish organizations and by occasional diocesan projects) is composed of the presidents of the parish societies and additional members as appointed by Reverend Stapelton. The board is now composed of the following; Raymond Jabaley, St. Peter’s, LaGrange, Ga.; William Dennon, Sts. Peter and Paul, Decatur; Gerald Delbrugge, St. Gerard, Ft. Oglethorpe; Walter Clark, St. Joseph’s, Marietta; Lee B. Benson, Our Lady of the Assumption, Atlanta; Edgar D. Lintz, St. John’s, Hapeville; Paul W. Smith, Sts. Peter and Paul, Decatur; C. Roy Gunter, Blessed Sacrament. Atlanta; George A. Andrews, Knights of Columbus, Atlanta; Eddie Troy, Immaculate Conception, Atlanta and Norman Berry, St. Jude’s Men’s Club, Atlanta; Jimmy Fitzpatrick, St. Thomas More, Decatur; Robert H. McClellan, Serra Club; Atlanta; Ferdinand Buckley, St. Jude’s Men’s Club, Atlanta; H. G. Farnsworth, Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, Sam Aiola, Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta; Millard C. Norris, Sacred Heart, Atlanta, Clyde Edwards, St. Francis of Assisi, Cartersville; Eddie Gasperini, Immaculate Conception, Atlanta and Roscoe Thomas, St. Paul of the Cross, Atlanta.

It was pointed out that the first activity sponsored by the council, the census of the archdiocese, was a complete success. The outstanding cooperation of thousands of laymen and the enthusiasm generated by this project was felt to be an extremely valuable asset which should be kept alive in the diocese. With good planning and lay enthusiasm, it was felt that the future projects of the diocesan board would meet with similar success.