All three are involved in ministry to the black community.

Father John Adamski, pastor of St. Anthony’s Church on Gordon Street in the West End, says, “We have not had this type of program in former years. But we really need it and the planning is going well.”

Father Adamski is concerned that good coordination takes place between all agencies, civic and religious, who are planning programs for the children. “Here in our own neighborhood, especially, we want to be sure we are well informed on all the programs being planned.”

St. Anthony’s intends to bring Mercy Sister Catherine Donegan from Philadelphia to coordinate the parish summer program. “We will use the school, the day-care center and Howell Park next to the school. It will be an all-day program but we still have some concerns for the children when the programs end in the evening. We are looking closely at that end of it. It will be good to have Sister with us.”

Over in St. Paul of the Cross, Passionist Father Cletus Dawson is in charge of planning. “Although this is my first time to be involved,” says Father Cletus, “the parish has been involved with a summer program for children for 10 years. This year will be different since we intend to lengthen it. It will begin early in the morning and go on all day. The planning is going well.”

This parish intends to bring four sisters from the St. Joseph’s Motherhouse in Baden, Pa. to help run the program. “They will be a wonderful addition,” says Father Cletus. “And we will also have two seminarians coming to assist. Our people are most enthusiastic. Now if I can get a hold of a new swimming pool for the program, I’ll really be ready.”

Father Cletus likes the all-day nature of the program, the field trips, the educational end of it. “It’s a great idea. We really need to do our share to help the kids.”

Sts. Peter and Paul parish in Decatur is hurrying to organize and be ready for the program. “I really like the faith and prayer aspect of our program,” says pastor Father Henry Gracz. “Many programs will be offered by civic groups and departments in the City, but ours will have that unique aspect of prayer as its base.”

A coordinator of the summer children’s program has been hired by Sts. Peter and Paul to get things going. “We have Alyce Holland pulling it together,” says Father Gracz, “and we have also asked the Motherhouse of our Sisters, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters from Philadelphia, to consider sending sisters to help us. It certainly will be a big help if we get them.”

Like the other parishes, Sts. Peter and Paul will have an all-day program. “The youngsters will be dropped here at 8:00 a.m. and we’ll keep them until around 6:00 p.m. Andy we’ll keep them busy. There’s lots of recreation area, good equipment and, hopefully; volunteers to really work for us. So, we have a right to be enthused.”

All three parishes are hoping the volunteer program is a success. From parishes, North, South, East and West, north Georgia pastors are sending helping hands to make this program for our Atlanta children a model that will long be imitated.

Father Henry Gracz sums it up when he says, “Together we will learn, pray, have lots of fun and, most of all, heal these children as much as possible.”