By Michael Motes

At the first annual Priests and Monks’ Yuletide Festival held at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Father Richard Kieran was re-elected president of the Atlanta Senate of Priests. His opponent in the election was Father Liam Tuffy of Saint Thomas More parish in Decatur.

Father Kieran, who serves as principal of Saint Joseph’s High School, is a native of Ireland and has been involved in the local Cursillo movement since his ordination in 1965.

He studied for the priesthood of Saint Patrick’s College in Maynooth and holds the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Arts in Education.

Father Kieran’s older brother John is pastor of Saint Joseph’s parish in Dalton.

Defeating Father John Lawrence of Holy Cross parish, Father Ray Horan, assistant pastor of Sacred Heart in Atlanta, was elected vice president of the organization. He succeeds Father Tuffy in the post.

Elected to serve as secretary-treasurer of the Senate was Father Louis Naughton, assistant pastor of Holy Cross parish. He takes over the post previously held by Father Joseph Sances, assistant chancellor of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Father Naughton’s opponent in the election was Father John Adamski, assistant pastor of Saint John the Evangelist parish in Hapeville.

Newly elected members-at-large are Fathers Austin McKenna, pastor of Saint Paul of the Cross, and Peter Ludden, pastor of Saint John Vianney parish in Lithia Springs.

Nearly 100 priests, religious and guests attended the seasonal celebration at the monastery. Archbishop Donnellan was a special guest. Live entertainment was provided by priests and religious of the archdiocese.