By Marie Mulvenna

St. Joseph's parish, Athens, might be described as "uniquely atypical of any other parish." So speaks Father Henry Gracz, the young pastor of an extremely active and involved parish that might well serve as a model for others. The concept of service, to both members of the parish and the community at large, is so enmeshed in the spirit of St. Joseph's that it would be difficult to find another parish more committed or more intense in its desire to serve.

Located in Athens, home of the University of Georgia, St. Joseph's is located on a four-acre parcel of property that borders the downtown business district, the model cities area and low-income housing projects. Right in the heart of everything, St. Joseph's complex includes the 50-year-old church, a parish center, a 100-year-old rectory, parish school and a ballfield.

Father Gracz, a native of Buffalo, NY, smiles when asked if St. Joseph's is a rural parish, then explains the community has a population of 43,000 in the metropolitan area plus some 18,000 students at the university. "Most people think of Athens as a little country town," Father Gracz says, "but actually we have all the involvement of a city parish."

When Father says involvement, he does not use the term loosely. The list of activities, both within the parish itself and within the community, is staggering. When asked how he and his assistant, Father Ray Horan, manage the Herculean list of projects, he grins and says, "Father Horan pretty much takes on the role of the 'mission priest,' and by Sunday night we are both pretty exhausted."

Father Horan, a southerner for 16 years, is noted for his ability to spread the gospel by using modern parables. In a Volkswagen aptly nicknamed the "Gospel Bug," he heads out to serve three missions serviced by the parish. One small mission of six families in Madison is named St. James, requested by the parishioners in honor of Father James Maciejewski, their first priest. Another mission of 38 families is at Monroe; the third mission of 16 families in Winder.

Although 50 years old, the church is completely renovated in keeping with liturgical renewal. Father Gracz serves as priest-secretary of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission.

St. Joseph's has an active worship committee and a recent survey taken in the parish indicated people were very pleased with their participation in the liturgy. The committee is now planning themes for liturgy and has established sets of guidelines for the Mass. The lector makes his own personal comments and introduction prior to reading the scriptures, "something we found people like very much," Father states. The committee is presently planning a prayer breakfast to be held weekly at which time discussions of scripture for the forthcoming Sunday would be held informally.

The Sunday schedule of Masses offers three organ Masses in the morning, a guitar Mass and a contemporary folk choir at an evening Mass. Each month a visiting Protestant choir sings; two weeks ago, for example, the First Presbyterian Church choir was featured at Mass.

The parish school, through sixth grade, is staffed by I.M.H. sisters with Sister Marie Pierre serving as principal. The religious education program is directed by Sister Ellen Nolan.

The high school group often gathers in the rectory dining room instead of cramming into second grade chairs. Sister Ellen also heads the adult education program and conducts classes with parents while their children are attending the religious education program. Father Gracz explains she continues to foster the concept that they, as parents, are the primary catechists of their children.

"Our parish center really serves as the center of the community," Father says. It gets regular daily use as a neighborhood day care center for children whose parents both work. The center also houses a "Head Start" program which assists pre-school children of low-income families in preparing to enter school on an equal footing with others. "We even have a good dental hygiene program to help these kids and they really enjoy the program immensely," Fr. Gracz reports with a smile.

Unique in itself is the fact that the church is open 24 hours a day without fear of vandalism or theft. A petition book is left in the church where people may submit their personal petitions to be included in the prayer of the faithful at the Sunday liturgy. Also "open" to parishioners is the huge rectory which Father reports is headquarters for numerous meetings and get-togethers. "We love the idea of people feeling our home is theirs too."

On the topic of parish councils, Father Gracz commented that St. Joseph's was one of the first in the archdiocese to establish a council, under the direction of Father John Mulroy, who was pastor from 1961 to 1967. "They have an excellent constitution providing for all members being elected at large and one-half of the membership rotating every two years. Some parishes can structure their councils so they meet quarterly, but they are not really a functioning council with true lay participation," Father states.

He also spoke glowingly of the parish finance committee, terming it a group of good and qualified businessmen who are aware of monetary needs. Father said the committee functions with both the school and the parish and he respects their decisions at all times. "They're the experts in that field, not me," he noted.

St. Joseph's is also involved in building a teen program under the direction of Sister Marie Pierre and Sister Ellen. Father Horan, assigned to the parish last June, also works closely with the young people, who are presently working on an "adopt a kid" program for Christmas. They also have a functioning youth council that works with Father Horan on service projects.

In addition to their other duties, the priests also service nearby St. Mary's Hospital as chaplains to the sisters and patients.

Perhaps the highlight of parish activity is the program revolving around Camp Hallinan, named in memory of the late Archbishop Paul Hallinan. The camp operates nine weeks in the summer and serves over 500 youngsters, most of whom are from low-income families. "Although the camp was begun by the parish," Father Gracz says, "it had become a real community project and is also aided by the other parishes in the archdiocese who fund 'camperships' for underprivileged children." The camp has a distinct ecumenical aspect, as well, with volunteers from the Presbyterian and Methodist churches rolling up their sleeves to pitch in. The university provides psychiatric counseling and the camp is aided by the Community Chest and Model Cities funds.

"A Catholic-sponsored camp on the Community Chest was a real breakthrough for a minority group," Father Gracz says, giving great credit for the feat to parishioners Jack Murray and David Dwinnell.

In describing the unique service aspects of his parish of 450 families, Fr. Gracz gives total credit for the spirit of service in the parish to former pastor, Father John Mulroy, now assigned at Sacred Heart Church, Atlanta. "We're very proud of this tradition of service at St. Joseph's," Father Gracz says quietly.

This is a parish with a heart and a helping hand.