Father William Calhoun, a religion teacher at St. Joseph’s High School, has been named the first archdiocesan chaplain of the Christian Family Movement (CFM).

The CFM is one of the lay associations within the Church, built on the concept of small gatherings of married persons who plan and administer the program with a chaplain serving as a spiritual guide. The movement grew out of the period after World War II, especially in Chicago and other mid-western dioceses.

Father Calhoun, following his ordination in Atlanta in 1963, earned his master’s degree in education from the Catholic University of America. Since then he has taught at St. Joseph’s and is a priest-in-residence at Sacred Heart.

“A priest of your competence and style should be a fine spiritual guide for the local Christian Family Movement,” Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan wrote this week in Father Calhoun’s letter of appointment.

“You are already acquainted with some of the dozen CFM groups in Atlanta. Now as chaplain, not as director or manager, you will have the opportunity to deepen the home and community values of these mature Catholics.” The appointment became effective Tuesday.

The archbishop said it is planned to introduce Father Calhoun to all CFM groups at a reception to be held soon.