Monsignor John D. Stapleton, rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King was recently elected president of the Saint Bernard Seminary Alumni Association at their reunion in Rochester, New York. Approximately 500 priests attended the reunion.

Monsignor Stapleton, a native of Savannah, was ordained May 14, 1953 in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah. He was educated at Georgetown University and St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester.

A number of Georgia priests received their seminary education at St. Bernard's Seminary.

The alumni reunion marked the 86^th birthday of former Bishop James E. Kearney.

Monsignor Stapleton was the first pastor and founder of St. Jude's parish in Sandy Springs, Atlanta. He is the son of Mrs. Catherine S. Stapleton of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Savannah, and the late John D. Stapleton.

In accepting this honor, Monsignor Stapleton stated, "This is a great honor to me personally, but also to all of our Georgia priests living and dead who received their education at St. Bernard's. There has always been a close bond uniting the Diocese of Savannah, the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Rochester. The first bishop of Rochester, Bishop Bernard McQuade visited Savannah frequently, being a close personal friend of Bishop Benjamin Kelley."