"If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It" was the challenge issued to North Georgia Catholics by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council's Priority Program on Poverty.

This past week scores of north Georgians accepted that challenge and flooded to Deanery Workshops.

The workshops were designed specifically to answer the practical questions of implementation -- "how to" … by (1) providing more detailed information than previous sessions; (2) offering opportunities for inter-parochial collaboration when possible and (3) making adaptations of programs where necessary.

After a brief opening, during which Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan encouraged the participants to move decisively on the parish level to implement their program choices, the parish representatives adjourned to specific interest workshops -- day care centers, low-income housing, open housing, domestic workers and rural food -- and got down to business.

Approximately 350 people turned out for the second sessions -- 125 in the Northeast Deanery, 150 in the Northwest Deanery, 55 in the South Deanery -- representing 37 parishes in the Archdiocese.

Paul Aland, chairman of the Open Housing Workshop, felt the enthusiasm he experienced was running at high tide. "Response and enthusiasm were far greater than predicted," he added. "Perhaps this was due to Father Hardy's own enthusiasm and Sister Janet's hard work and organization -- it seems to be infections."

One interesting point on Open Housing Workshops, noted by Aland, was that three of the goals already decided upon in these sessions were adopted by the Goals for Georgia committee during a conference here in Atlanta last week. They were (1) enactment of a state fair-housing law; (2) enforcement of existing laws and (3) establishment of housing information centers.

Mrs. John O'Connor, chairman of the day care workshop, was "very pleased with the concrete and specific goals achieved by various representatives in my group. It was really gratifying where one parish had so many representatives that they had to have a room by themselves."

"Communication is the major problem in the domestic worker program," stated Mrs. Herb Mallon, who chaired that workshop. The parishes represented decided on a definite plan of practical action and education, including a Domestic Workers Week within the archdiocese.

Mrs. Fran Rossman, who led the low-income housing group, stated that the show of interest and concern from parishes with the least problem (in a given area) indicated a degree of awareness of social conditions and showed true Christian love and concern.

Mrs. Pat Martinez, who acted as temporary chairwoman for the rural food sessions, felt that the response was very good. "Most people had made up their minds before coming that they definitely wanted to undertake a rural food program," she said. "The family-to-family involvement was the major interest factor."

Mrs. Martinez stated that in rural foods, as in all other workshops, explicit "how to" courses of action were decided upon. In addition, each chairman has specific plans for follow-up with each parish group in their programs.

Father Jerry E. Hardy, secretary to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, and Sister Janet Valente, Director of Urban Affairs for the archdiocese, will continue to be available to parish councils for advice and assistance upon request.

In recapping, Father Hardy feels the answer to that question is "one to one." He stated, "We know we can't wipe out poverty with this program, but I do believe we can cut it back. If you believe in this program, then convince someone else so that our effort can grow.

"We must attempt to mobilize the diocese around a priority. Confidence in our ability and a belief in the value of a concerted effort, no matter how small is imperative."

The power of small acts and coordinated efforts can achieve our set goals, he added.

More detailed follow-up procedures will be announced in the next issue of the Georgia Bulletin.