On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the priests of the Archdiocese, along with their parish chairman, gathered in their respective deaneries to discuss the upcoming Archdiocesan Charities Development Fund Drive with Archbishop Donnellan. On Monday evening, the meeting took place in Rome, Georgia, with the Northwest Dean, Father Joseph Beltran, acting as host. Tuesday evening, the meeting was at Immaculate Heart of Mary with Northeast Dean, Monsignor Michael Regan hosting and Wednesday evening all met at Saint John the Evangelist parish with South Dean, Father John O’Shea. The needs of the archdiocese were carefully outlined, and the parish goals were discussed.

Archbishop Donnellan addressing the groups, stated that the growth in North Georgia since the founding of the Diocese in 1956 was truly amazing. This growth process was an on-going thing. It continues today and forces us to plan for the future. In order to provide the vital services, programs and projects needed in the Church, every diocese was turning to this type of appeal each year. This, said the archbishop, was our first attempt in Atlanta and success was assured based on the enthusiasm and cooperation of the priests and chairmen present. The archbishop assured each meeting that the money was a need this year to support the programs of charity in the archdiocese.

At each meeting also, explanations of the archdiocesan budget for the fiscal year 1968-69 were given by Fathers Jerry Hardy, John Stapleton and Noel Burtenshaw. Father Burtenshaw, chancellor of the archdiocese, noted that the normal parish assessments for this fiscal year had all been lowered but expenditures for all archdiocesan projects had increased. The one day fund drive was therefore the key to the continuance of good programs in social service, education, vocations, the home missions, inner city, resettlement fund for our priests.

Guidelines to be followed by all parishes were discussed and agreed upon by all. In connection with the drive, it was agreed that a special gift’s phase should begin throughout the Archdiocese in two weeks. The pastors and their chairmen agreed that a special committee in each parish be set up to handle this.