Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan has announced the establishment of the Department of Resettlement under the discretion of Father Raphael L. McDonald for the Spanish Speaking Community in the archdiocese. This new full-time office is a department of Catholic Social Services. It will give assistance to Latin Americans who are beginning to settle in great numbers throughout North Georgia.

These emigrants and refugees come from all parts of South America and Cuba and have been served on a part-time basis by Father McDonald for some years. Father has been ably assisted by members of Our Lady of Charity Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.

It is planned that Father McDonald will open his office soon in downtown Atlanta where he will give his full attention to the needs of the Latin Americans and their families.

Father McDonald will coordinate all the efforts presently made in behalf of those who have come here from Latin American countries. Masses in Spanish will increase, more classes in English will be provided and religious instruction will be organized for the families. The most important and the most difficult task of resettlement is, of course, finding homes and providing jobs for those who come to our communities. This is where the greatest efforts will be made by Father and his workers.

Father McDonald is a native of Pennsylvania. After attending Notre Dame and Saint Bonaventure Universities, he entered the Franciscan Order and was ordained in 1944. He has served as a Missionary in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Bolivia. He came to Atlanta in 1963 and has served as assistant pastor at the Shrine of Immaculate Conception since that time. His new residence will be Saint Anthony’s parish.

Father McDonald will be succeeded at the Shrine by Father Rayner Dray, O.F.M. Father Dray has been previously assigned in Atlanta and comes now from an assignment in Savannah.