Father Sean Fleury, MSFS, pastor of St. Patrick’s Church, Norcross, leaves this month to take up a new assignment as pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church in London, England. Father Fleury is a member of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales and has served in the Archdiocese of Atlanta for the past six years.

His first American assignment was at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in September 1971. In June 1972, he went to St. Pat’s, Norcross, as pastor. This was the Fransalian order’s first parish in the United States. As local superior of the MSFS communities, Father Fleury has seen the order assume responsibility for the parish of St. Lawrence, Lawrenceville.

During his administration, the first American Fransalian Novitiate was established at Villa Luyet, also in Lawrenceville. There are now five MSFS priests in the archdiocese.

Father Fleury took a great personal interest in the civic affairs of Gwinnett County. He was a member of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and chaplain to the Civitan Club of Peachtree Corners. He was much in demand as a speaker at local functions. He was also chaplain to the Hibernian Benevolent Society in Atlanta.

In the true spirit of St. Francis de Sales, he made the parish rectory a favorite meeting place for priests in the archdiocese, dedicated to hospitality. His generosity and wisdom are well known to all. Father Fleury returns to England and a new pastorate, but he leaves behind a grateful and growing church in Gwinnett County, where he will always be remembered and loved.