Three bishops will concelebrate Mass at dedication ceremonies for the modern Village of St. Joseph, Sunday, Sept 17, at 3 p.m. The village is located at 2969 Butner Rd., S.W., Atlanta.

Concelebrating the Mass are: Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan, Bishop Joseph L. Bernardin, Archbishop-elect Leo C. Byrne of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Father James F. Scherer, director of Catholic Social Services.

Archbishop Byrne is the brother of Sister Leo Christopher, C.S.J., of the Village of St. Joseph. The bishop, former apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Wichita, has been appointed by Pope Paul VI to be coadjutor archbishop with the right of succession to Archbishop Leo Binz of St. Paul-Minneapolis. Bishop Byrne was auxiliary bishop of St. Louis prior to his appointment as coadjutor bishop of Wichita in 1961.

Sunday’s ceremonies officially mark the dedication of this facility to the people of North Georgia, and are the culmination of one phase of the Archdiocesan Development Drive, said Father Scherer. “It is an accomplishment that points out the efforts of the Catholic community in this archdiocese to integrate Christian principles and Christian actions in a needed work of service.”

Children from the former St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Washington, Ga. and from St. Mary’s home for girls in Savannah are now living in the village. The children lie in four cottages, each housing a maximum of 16 children and two house parents.

The boys range in age from 6-14 and the girls from 6-18. The consolidation of the former schools was designed to keep brothers and sisters together.

The metropolitan Atlanta location offers the advantage of having the children in a place easily accessible to their parents. It also makes school facilities, shopping centers and places of cultural interest more available to the children, said Sister John Frances, C.S.J., administrator.

Catholic and non-Catholic children of any race may be accepted in the village community. Some come from institutions or foster homes where they were unable to adjust. Most, however, are from homes disrupted either by physical or mental illness or marital discord, the administration said.

“At St. Joseph’s personal treatment is offered to the emotionally disturbed children. The special education program operated by the Village relieves children from the pressures of school competition and allows them to progress at their own rate. The majority of children are sent out to school, and for all children at St. Joseph’s, efforts are made in family guidance,” the nun said.

“This program offers group or individual therapy to the parents. It is hoped that in this way some families might accomplish a rehabilitation of their home situations,” Father Scherer said.

The dedication Mass will be held outdoors to accommodate a greater number of people. Those interested in seeing the physical plant of the village in learning more about its functions are welcome to attend said Father Scherer.

The village was built by T.C. Brittain Construction Co. Gerald T. Deckbar of Locatell, Inc., was the architect.