By Beverlie Reilman

When Sr. Karen Marie, secretary of the Parish Council, works out the calendar for Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, it’s not an easy task. The heart of this busy parish throbs to the beat of 19 organizations for adults, six others for young people, 23 Masses, a weekly rosary for peace, and a healthy social calendar.

It takes a two-page Sunday bulletin and a large two-month schema in the vestibule of the church to keep the parish of 1200 families informed of all that’s taking place on Briarcliff Road.

Msgr. Michael J. Regan explains the many activities in his parish by reviewing the early years of IHM. Founded in 1958 with the late Rev. Msgr. Cornelius L. Maloney as its first pastor, the new church brought together Catholics who had moved to this newly-developed area from all parts of the country.

“The many organizations were here almost from the beginning,” explains Father Regan. “The first leaders in our Confraternity of Christian Doctrine had been trained in other places…providentially settled here and were ready to show us how all this could work.”

Msgr. Regan believes that the basis of success was the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, whose executive board was the forerunner of today’s parish council. “When the synod directed the parishes to adopt parish councils, we used the C.C.D. as a base, added a few by-laws, and there’s been a strong council ever since,” he says.

He also believes his “community,” as he likes to call the parish, has changed recently because of the many apartment dwellers in the area, many of whom are here only temporarily. In many cases both husband and wife work and therefore cannot get as deeply involved in parish life as more settled.

Msgr. Regan, a large, gentle, former Philadelphian, is assisted in his community by Fathers Sean Fleury and Noel Neary, both natives of Ireland; by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred heart; by an energetic contingent of volunteers who handle secretarial and financial matters; by three Jesuit priests attending Emory University who happen to live next door; and even by two powerful dogs, Grainne, a beautiful six-months old puppy almost as large as Msgr. Regan, and the older Myrtle. The dogs have free rein in the rectory, even, it is suspected, sitting in on all meetings held there.

Immaculate Heart of Mary parish has made quite a name for itself as a singing and performing parish. “We are especially noted for our robust singing,” says Mr. Walter Furbish, vice-chairman of the Parish Council. “We probably sing more and louder at our Masses than most parishes.” She didn’t add that Msgr. Regan is known as “Singing Mike” although this is a well-known fact substantiated by his vigorous song-leading on all occasions except the two Sunday masses group well coordinated by Mark Garin. There is no formal choir, although Maurus Hack directed a choral group which prepared a Christmas program again this year.

One of the most unusual aspects of organizational life at IHM is the group known as the IHM Players, directed by Charles Edington. They perform several times each year and recently they presented the play, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE.

The physical properties of IHM include 15 fully-developed acres on which are built a church, rectory, convent and school. There are also three parking areas, a playing field and a picnic area.

The school has 475 students and 475 students and a faculty led by St. Frances Whitman, G.N.S.H. Mrs. Ann Schroeder directs the school of religion. The main school building, with cafetorium, was built the year the parish was founded, and the annex, comprising classrooms, library and activities center, was opened in 1969. The school completed requirements for accreditation in the Spring of 1971.

Msgr. Regan is obviously proud of his school. “It has never been stronger…a marvelous school,” he says. “We have a strong administration and our parents are intensely involved, especially the Parents Club. Dick and Fran Callahan brought us this idea, based on participation by couples, from Chicago.”

Something else that’s new is the IHM Federal Credit Union. In Msgr. Regan’s weekly bulletin he notes that it is open every Sunday and urges parishioners to make it easier for Christmas shopping next year by opening an account.

Children aren’t forgotten at IHM, where boy and girl scout troops and an intra-mural sports program flourish. For teens there are two Young Christian Students units, which are study-action groups, and the CYO, which is more social.

Christian family life receives great stress through the Legion of Mary, Christian Family Movement and the Christian Mothers of St. Gerard. The Parish Council, Parents Club, Altar and Rosary, Ushers Club, IHM Rosary Makers and St. Vincent de Paul Society help run the community and see to its charities.

Most unusual are the number of spiritual groups. Two Bible study groups meet regularly, as does the charismatic prayer meeting each Thursday evening in the library which closes with the Sacred Liturgy. The weekly rosary for peace followers Wednesday morning Mass.

Of special note is the Cursillo movement. IHM was the first Atlanta parish to present a Cursillo, introduced by a company of laymen from Chicago. The Cursillo movement fosters in intense Christian renewal in its participants, who make three-day retreats at the Trappist Monastery in Conyers or at the Jesuit Retreat House. Cursillos have been made by 170 members of the IHM community.

Immaculate Heart of Mary parish moves ahead into the 70’s with a dynamic history of dedicated Christian living.

(Next: St. Gerard’s in Fort Oglethorpe.)