By Marie Mulvenna

Located on a scenic hill and 7 ½ acres, Our Lady of the Assumption parish in northeast Atlanta is a busy place despite its serene suburban setting. Established as a parish 20 years ago, OLA has been administered by the Marist Fathers since 1965 when they moved from Sacred Heart downtown, along with the well-known Marist School, long-located on Ivy Street. The move ended an affiliation with Sacred Heart that dates back before the turn of the century.

Fr. Paul Burkort, S.M., pastor, speaks proudly of OLA, its 1,060 families and its long list of activities, including the parish school which recently was awarded accreditation and presently educates some 475 children in grades K through 8. Gifted with a deep and resonant voice, Fr. Burkort relates the history of the parish back to the early 50’s when Mass was held at the old Lawson General Hospital, later moving to the auditorium of the Jim Cherry School. The first chapel, which serves now as cafeteria and four classrooms in the school complex, was first used in 1952. The new church was constructed in 1957 while Msgr. Joseph Moylan was pastor. The school opened its doors in 1952 with 176 children, a figure that climbed to 652 in 1957.

A native of Wheeling, W. Va., Fr. Burkort became pastor in 1969; he is assisted at the parish by Fr. Leonard Kellerman, S.M., who hails from Cleveland, Ohio, and Fr. Francis Keany, S.M., born in Ireland. Fr. Kellerman possesses a fantastic memory and he never forgets to make “happy birthday” calls to all the parishioners, young and old. Fr. Kellerman is the “official” welcome committee for the parish and greets each and every newcomer with a visit, a blessing of their home and reams of data on parish activities and organizations. Fr. Keany, whose Irish brogue is a sheer delight, is in charge of the many Scout programs run by the parish and all the other youth activities. He is presently reviving a CYO program to meet the needs of the parish’s many young members.

The parish religious education program is an extremely busy one and is directed by Sr. Marie Carolyn, an energetic dynamo who has charge of 600 children enrolled in the CCD program, three adult education groups meeting weekly, two coffee groups, and adult study club and a host of other activities including the reactivation of the parish liturgy committee.

Not the least of other activities are the popular family learning events which combing a group liturgy and a covered-dish supper. The liturgy-supper ideas has held for the different grades of the school and CCD children and includes parents, children and teachers. Fr. Burkort had high praise for the “suppers” stating a number of converts had been one of the fruits of their existence. Another popular innovation in the parish are communal penitential rites which have been held for the children, teenagers and adults.

Sr. Denis Marie directs the religious education program for grades K through 6. Assisting both Sr. Denis and Sr. Carolyn are some 40 lay teachers, more than half of whom are certified. The teachers received an intensive in-service training program each year. The CCD program also boasts a fine newsletter sent home regularly with the children.

The parish school, of which St. Valentina Sheridan RSM is principal, has an excellent scholastic record and is justly proud of its recent accreditation. Education at OLA is not merely the 3 R’s of bygone days but includes a multitude of activities and clubs, visiting speakers, class trips, a constantly expanding library, and an “off-campus” elective program held Friday afternoons for small groups. The children have been extremely active in science fairs and are now hard at work on a book fair and an arts festival. A unique journalism-drama club prepares a school newspaper plus some fine dramatic offerings.

Activities? “They run the gamut,” says Fr. Burkort with a smile, explaining some 15 organizations function in the parish including a parish council, finance board, education board, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Rosary-Altar, Scouts, Third Order of Mary, choir, athletic board for the parish’s many sponsored teams and a host of other groups. The parish is also a member of the Lynwood Concerned Churches and is active in assisting people in that area. Committed to open housing, OLA is as well a member of the Atlanta Region Open Housing coalition.

Reflecting on the nature of the parish, Fr. Burkort describes it as “completely suburban” due to its location in a residential area, but nonetheless involved in the concerns of the community as a whole. One aspect of OLA, which may be typical of suburban parishes, is the large turnover of families each year. Fr. Burkort says about 200 families are transferred and another 200 families arrive in the parish annually. “We do have a fluctuating aspect,” he notes. As far as expansion goes, Fr. Stated he did not anticipate any great expansion since the area seems relatively settled and growth has somewhat leveled off. He noted that meetings for men of the parish are impossible to set up on any night but Sunday. “They all seem to travel so much,” Father commented.

As for the parishioners Fr. Burkort had high praise for their participation and involvement. “The people are most cooperative and always give us fine support.” He termed the parish “a well balanced group, not all liberal, quite stable, and they have an interest in their faith and things of the Church.” He expressed his pride in the school’s status, the outstanding CCD program, the choir, and the many activities of the parish.

A spanking new group of 13 folk singers and musicians made its debut Palm Sunday at the extremely popular and always crowded folk liturgy held in the cafeteria. The OLA choir, under the direction of Bob Krick, just recorded for an area FM station and has been featured at numerous functions throughout the archdiocese.

One area of parish life Fr. Burkort is determined to improve is the social life, explaining that he feels it imperative for a better sense of community. Father states that, in the past, social affairs such as dances, bazaars, etc. were held primarily as fund raisers with everyone pitching in to help the Church. “Now,” he adds, “we need to revitalize that feeling but only for the social aspect. We want our people to know one another well and are now planning a number of social events for the entire parish.” Two dances have already been held and were standing-room-only successes. “That’s one area we must expand upon,” Fr. Adds.

Just a mile off Peachtree Road, in what appears to be a quiet and contemplative setting, is a rather bustling and active parish for almost 1,100 Atlanta families.