Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan announced this week the creation of a Vocation Commission for the Archdiocese of Atlanta as well as the appointment of a new director of vocations. Father John S. Adamski will succeed Father Jerry E. Hardy, chancellor of the archdiocese, in the vocation post.

The Vocation Commission is to serve in an advisory capacity for vocation activities in the archdiocese. In appointing the nearly 30 members of the Commission, Archbishop Donnellan stated: “Since my installation as Archbishop of Atlanta, the archdiocese has grown in membership by nearly 26 percent while the number of men studying for the priesthood has remained constant. We must match this growth in our Church by an increase in the number of vocations to serve the current and future needs of our people. I am confident that the existence of our Vocation Commission – bishop, priests, sisters and laity – will clearly emphasize this priority for the entire Church of Atlanta.”

Archbishop Donnellan expressed his appreciation for Father Hardy’s work as director of vocations for the past seven years. The archbishop pointed out that while other dioceses have been experiencing a severe decline in the number of applicants for the priesthood, Atlanta’s number of seminarians has remained nearly the same for the past several years.

Father Adamski, associate director of vocations for the past two years, expressed his hope of continuing the quality of Father Hardy’s vocation efforts: “In his term as director of vocations, Father Hardy not only expanded the scope of our vocation programs, but also demonstrated a great personal interest in each of the Atlanta seminarians. His interest and enthusiasm for the work of the Church of Atlanta have been contagious.” Father Hardy’s vocation work was recognized nationally in his 1971 election as president of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors.

As secretary of the new Vocation Commission, Father Adamski outlined the advisory role of the Commission as an important means of evaluating current and planned vocation programs: “I look forward to the advice and suggestions which the Commission members will make concerning our vocation efforts. The cooperation of priests, sisters and laity should itself be an important sign of the concern which all of us must have for the future of the leadership role within our Church.”

The Commission’s first meeting will be held on Friday, February 8 at St. John the Evanglelist Church, Hapeville. Along with his new vocation post, Father Adamski continues his current assignment as assistant pastor of the Hapeville parish.