(Editor's Note: Passionists throughout the world are celebrating the Bicentennial of the death of their founder, St. Paul of the Cross, and his entrance in to heaven. St. Paul of the Cross parish in Atlanta has extended an invitation to Catholics throughout the archdiocese to take part in a special celebration on Friday, Oct. 17, beginning with Mass at 7 p.m. at the church, 551 Harwell Road, N.W. On Oct. 18 and 19, Sisters and priests of the archdiocese will take part in special liturgies at St. Paul of the Cross. This article on the parish and the Congregation of the Passion was written by Father Richard Leary, CP, assistant pastor at St. Paul of the Cross.)

By Father Richard F. Leary, CP.

Driving North on 285, one mile before Bankhead Highway, you will pass St. Paul of the Cross Parish, in northwest Atlanta. It is staffed by the Congregation of the Passion, better known as the Passionist Fathers and Brothers, and is dedicated to their founder, St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775).

Baptized as Paul Francis Danei, St. Paul of the Cross founded his Congregation in Italy in 1720. His ideal was to gather apostolic workmen who would labor for the conversion of mankind by the use of that most powerful means, the Passion of Jesus Christ. This was his special charism, which he bequeathed to his followers. His conviction was that the Congregation would survive and fulfill its mission as long as its members followed the example of Jesus Crucified, in the spirit of prayer, penance, poverty and solitude.

Bound by a fourth vow, to spread devotion to the Passion of Jesus, Passionists take as their own the words of St. Paul the Apostle, "We preach Christ Crucified -- the power and the wisdom of God." Preaching, especially itinerant preaching, has always been central to the work of the Congregation. But there has also been a broad ministry of the word in countless apostolates, depending on the functions, talents, opportunities and zeal of the individual religious.

The first Passionists arrived in the United States in 1852, and made their foundation in Pittsburgh, PA. At present, there are approximately 50 monasteries, parishes and retreat houses staffed by Passionists in this country. The ministry of the word is also carried on by Sign magazine, a popular monthly of national interest, and by several television and radio programs. The best known is called "Crossroads," a half-hour syndicated program, broadcast weekly over 500 stations in the United States, Canada and the Armed Forces Overseas Network.

The Passionists of this country share their personnel and resources with overseas missions in Japan, the Philippine Islands, and the West Indies; and the home mission fields of Canada, Mexico, Texas, Alabama and Georgia.

The Passionists were invited to Atlanta by Bishop Francis Hyland, then Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Gerald O'Hara of the Savannah-Atlanta diocese. (In 1960 Bishop Hyland was named first bishop of the new Atlanta diocese.) The Passionists arrived in Atlanta in 1955, purchased the property on Harwell Road, NW, and completed the convent and school in 1957. The Church and rectory were dedicated in 1960. Thus was born the daughter of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, which still serves Black Catholics east of Ashby Street.

Although the Supreme Court in 1954 had declared unconstitutional the dual school system, segregation laws were still on the books in Georgia, and schools were not actually integrated until 1961. The intention of Bishop Hyland in establishing St. Paul of the Cross Parish and school was not to segregate Black Catholics, but to serve them where they were. Nevertheless, the racial character of the parish, which overlaps other territorial parishes, is still criticized by some parishioners.

A new diocesan high school, Drexel Catholic, was established in 1961, next door to St. Paul of the Cross. The Passionists were asked to supply the first principal for this school. It developed slowly and painfully during the crucial years of "Black identity" and "Black power." Under Archbishop Hallinan in 1967, the school board decided to close Drexel. Reasons cited, besides the financial aspect, were: it was a segregated facility, with no prospect of integration; it showed little promise of growth; and curriculum choices were not sufficient. It closed at the height of its excellence, amid much protest, sadness, and bitterness. There were 35 in the last graduating class, and six were National Merit Semi-Finalists.

The parish itself serves about 500 families. Only a few live within walking distance from the Church, while a large number drive several miles. Some come to be with old friends, others feel more comfortable here, while still others like the varied liturgies: folk Masses, traditional music, and the old Spiritual. The adult choir is renowned throughout the archdiocese for its professional competence.

The parish territory includes seven-eighths of Fulton County and one-fourth of the City of Atlanta, a large area to cover! It is divided into geographical neighborhoods, where meetings were held to bring the people together, to get to know each other, to discuss Church and community problems, and to plan and implement Church activities.

The school (kindergarten through seventh grade) is staffed by two religious communities of St. Joseph, plus an integrated staff of lay-teachers. Two hundred twenty-nine children are enrolled, about one-third of whom are Catholics. A good number of its graduates have already become successful in professional and business life.

The parish is unique in many ways. First, parishioners are relatively young; a funeral is a rare event. Second, families are relatively small. Thirdly, professional and "white collar" workers comprise nearly 70 percent of those gainfully employed. Fourth and finally, members are converts for the most part. Of recent years, the number of converts has declined, because of various social and cultural reasons; Black identity and Black power have been factors; there has been some disillusionment with the Church's failure to solve today's problems and to give confident answers; ecumenism in the wake of Vatican II may have contributed some indifference.

The progress of integration also has changed life patterns; Blacks see no need to attend an all-black congregation, and have moved to other parts of the city, where other parishes are available. New public high schools and recreational facilities are offering places for activities. So there is no need for this parish to be a center for social gatherings. As in most parishes, too, a growing number, especially among the youth, cease to go the church, and seem to have little concern about the relevance of the Church or of God.

A vast number of Blacks live in the ghetto areas within the parish boundaries. Although only a handful are Catholics, these unchurched and poverty-stricken people are still our concern. In past years summer programs were conducted by our Passionists seminarians in these areas. One that had far-reaching consequences was a program for handicapped children, begun in the Perry Homes housing project. A similar program was added for children in Bowen Homes. Various agencies cooperated in this valuable work. The Atlanta School Board eventually implemented these programs, until there are now four excellent facilities for the trainable retarded children in the city. During the past four summers, our seminarians have helped staff the day camp which uses the parish and school facilities.

A medical clinic was also set up to serve the residents of Perry Homes. This gigantic ghetto has about 7,000 people, with no resident doctors, only one small shopping center, and minimal recreational facilities. The tornado of last spring completely demolished the shopping center, the management office and many of the apartments. After a survey of the health needs was made, Fulton County established the Grady-Rockdale Clinic, staffed full-time with doctors and nurses.

The Passionists have worked among the ghetto poor since 1963, in active harmony with such agencies as the Residents' Association, Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Family and Children's Services, Urban League, Advisory Councils, YMCA, West Central Coordinating Council, Truancy Prevention, Health Department, and others.

"Freedom Center" is one of the most important projects of the Passionist community. It is located not far from Atlanta Stadium, in a poor, deprived section. It developed from a need of the people to experience a sense of belonging, instead of rejection because of lack of education and material accomplishments. The Center opened February 22, 1971, in a rickety old house on the corner of Ira Street, SW, and Georgia Avenue. A larger building at 638 Ira Street, SW, was obtained last year, and is operated as the thrift shop. A new building is nearing completion at 641 Garibaldi Street, SW, directly in back of the thrift shop.

Although the Passionists have made substantial donations by way of money and personnel, the project is not funded by any agency. Continuing support comes from small donations and income from the thrift shop. Mrs. T. L. Toomer, a parish member, is the competent director of the Center, and works full-time for no salary. The Center is incorporated; the board and staff are integrated and ecumenical. Community residents worked on the construction of the new building, and some are still employed in the thrift shop. Parish members have also been generous with the gifts of their time, talents, and material goods.

The objectives of the Freedom Center are: 1) to instill in the people a feeling of pride, dignity, and usefulness; 2) to prepare people to function well in a consumer-oriented society; 3) through a better understanding of themselves, their surroundings and possessions, to eliminate the mental attitudes that are prevalent in the ghetto areas. The Center performs many of the social service functions, as well as making referrals to agencies. The new building will have a chapel and there will be prayer meetings, study of the Bible and religion. There will be classroom space for ceramics, cooking, sewing, consumer economics, etc. Visits are made to the sick at home and in hospitals, to the bereaved, and to those in prison. A great deal of counseling is done.

Other areas within the parish boundaries are Carver Hills, Perry Heights, Hollywood Heights, Bankhead Courts, Rockdale Homes and Dixie Hills. A distinct ministry is provided for three convalescent homes: Pine View, Sadie Mays, and Camilla Street; the senior citizens at the Dunbar Community Center; the patients at Southwest Community Hospital (formerly Holy Family), and the inmates of the Fulton County Jail.

The daily ministry to the poor presents an enormous challenge to both the parish and Passionist communities. But our vocation requires us to "be all things to all men." The middle class people who form the bulk of our parish and school membership have their very real and urgent problems and needs. From this emerging middle class has come the Black leadership of both the Church and civil society.

The hopes that the Passionists in Atlanta have are summed up in two quotes from our rule of Life:

"We share in the joys and struggles of mankind in its journey toward God. Because we are aware that the Passion of Christ continues in this world until He comes in glory, we desire to participate in the distress of men, especially the neglected and poor, to offer them comfort and to relieve the burden of their sorrow. We seek to overcome the causes of human suffering by the power of the Cross, the wisdom of God. The goal of our involvement is that all men may share in His suffering and become like Him in His death, that all may attain to the glory of His resurrection."

"Our vocation urges us to become so expert in the knowledge of the Passion that we may guide the faithful to a profound awareness of this mystery leading them to a more intimate union with God, a deeper knowledge of themselves, and a greater sensitivity to the needs of their fellow men."