By Monsignor Noel C. Burtenshaw

Monsignor William Haddad arrived in Atlanta from his native Lebanon in September 1954. He knew many languages, but English was not one of them. "I had been in Boston for a little while," says the pastor of St. John Melkite Church, "but had not even tried to learn the language since I did not believe I would stay in this country. But Bishop Hyland changed all that."

Atlanta was still not a Diocese. Bishop Hyland called the Melkite priest from Savannah and told him of the need for a Melkite parish.

Monsignor Haddad remembers being somewhat alarmed as he contemplated coming to the South. "I thought about the Klan and the prejudice against Catholics and I was fearful. But I prayed about it and decided I would go but to stay only for two years."

Twenty-seven years later, and now celebrating the silver anniversary of his Church, Monsignor Haddad remains on in Atlanta.

"The people received me with such love," says the handsome pastor, still retaining his Mediterranean accent. "There were just about 20 families in the city then. Now we have grown to about 76 families. We grew together and now we have a wonderful parish."

For the first 18 months, Monsignor Haddad lived at the Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Atlanta. "Monsignor Grady was pastor and a young priest from Boston was the assistant. His name was Father Donald Kiernan. He was always with the police. I thought we was a policeman at first."

"Monsignor Grady was a fine man and helped me with my English. Father Donald was so nice too, but I think in the beginning he taught me phrases in English that maybe I didn't need to know. Ok, I remember thinking I better watch him. I loved the Immaculate, they were grand days."

The Melkite community now had their priest. But how would they build a Church? Drawings brought to them by an architect were exactly right for them, but a fortune was needed to build. "We did not know where to turn," says Monsignor Haddad. "However, God took care of us. He showed us our new home."

The Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion was placing the old Asa Candler home on Ponce de Leon Avenue for sale. It was a three-acre site with excellent buildings. And the cost was an affordable $63,000. "It was a Godsend," remembers Monsignor Haddad as he excitedly prepares for the upcoming celebration. "The people believed we would get our home and we did."

The Candler Home was purchased and on June 9, 1957, after renovations were made by the little community, the Church was dedicated.

Twenty-five years have passed and it is time for the Silver Jubilee. Archbishop Joseph Tawil, head of the Melkite Catholic Diocese in the United States, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. The Silver Anniversary reception will follow in the Knights of Columbus Hall on Buford Highway. Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan will be present at the celebration.

Monsignor Haddad, proud pastor of the Melkite community in Atlanta, is very much the international man. He has seven brothers in West Africa, all of whom work in the export-import business. "My mother still lives in Lebanon," says the Monsignor. "Our home is near Beirut, but, thank God, she is not bothered by the war. It is very bad. Some decision on a Palestinian homeland must be made if there is to be a solution. We need to pray for peace."

As he has served his Melkite Catholic Community, Monsignor William Haddad has also served the people of the Archdiocese. For some years he was a teacher at St. Pius X High School. He is well known in all the Atlanta parishes where he is a frequent and welcome visitor.

The Silver Jubilee celebration at St. John Melkite Church with all its social festivities is open to the public. Further information can be obtained by calling the Church at 404-373-9522. They want all of us to share their joy at St. John's.