At 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 11, the first Mass for the newly-established parish of Corpus Christi, Stone Mountain, Georgia, was celebrated by Most Reverend Thomas A. Donnellan, Archbishop of Atlanta. Archbishop Donnellan also gave the homily at the second Mass.

In the procession marking the occasion of this first parish Mass were altar boys and the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. The Masses were held in the Stone Mountain Elementary School cafeteria. After both Masses there was a reception honoring Archbishop Donnellan served by women of the parish.

Archbishop Donnellan told the approximately 750 parishioners and guests in attendance at both Masses that although they had not exactly shouted from the top of the mountain, the Catholics in the Stone Mountain area were quite vocal about needing and wanting a parish in their vicinity. He also emphasized the need to work together as a Parish Family, seeking not only the well-being of Corpus Christi Parish, but looking to the needs of the community as a whole. He reminded everyone present that they are a part of the archdiocesan Church family and the Universal Church. The chief purpose of establishing any parish is the salvation of souls, he said, as clearly pointed out by Vatican II.

Following the first Mass activities, Father Joseph J. Beltran, pastor of the new Corpus Christi Church, was host to Archbishop Donnellan, Rev. Eusebius Beltran, pastor of Holy Cross, Rev. Walter Donovan, pastor of St. Thomas More, and Rev. Jerry E. Hardy, assistant chancellor of the archdiocese for lunch at the rectory, 1401 N. Hairston Road in Stone Mountain.