By Stan Prochaka

“From here you go forth!”

Those were the words expressed by the Most Rev. Thomas A. Donnellan, Archbishop of Atlanta, at the dedication of the new parish center of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna last Sunday evening.

He said during the homily, “We rejoice in your accomplishment -- in what that accomplishment means to the future.” He also pointed out that the building itself was not the most important factor in the parish, but rather that it was a place for the family of God to gather together as a community to worship God. He stressed that the building is merely the focal point for the many activities of the parish.

Archbishop Donnellan closed his homily at the dedication with the words: “The One on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things beautiful.’” The dedication began at 7 p.m. with the Archbishop blessing the front door and the outside of the parish center. He was assisted by the Very Rev. John D. Stapleton, rector of Christ the King Cathedral and Rev. John F. McDonough, pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Atlanta.

The large procession then wound its way into the “church” area of the parish center, as the congregation sang the hymn, “Faith of Our Fathers.” The procession was led by a cross bearer and a large assembly of altar boys. They were followed by laymen and women who were primarily responsible for planning, building and furnishing the parish center. Then came the many visiting priests, followed by Rev. Richard Morrow, pastor of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, and Archbishop Donnellan.

The Solemn Pontifical Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Donnellan, Rev. Morrow and Rev. John Mercer, S.M., pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Marietta.

The Rev. Noel C. Burtenshaw, chancellor of the archdiocese was the “master of ceremonies.”

About 100 priests and nuns from the Atlanta archdiocese were present at the dedication.