By Msgr. Noel C. Burtenshaw

The Diocese of Atlanta was merely one-year-old when a parish was founded on Briarcliff Road in northeast Atlanta. “It was ‘far out there’ in those days,” said present pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monsignor Donald Kiernan. “In fact it was adjacent to Mathis Dairy Farms. A janitor who worked here some years ago told me he hunted rabbits on this land when he was a boy.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary, which celebrated 25 years of life last week, is not considered very distant from the city now but it retains that same family spirit it had when Monsignor Cornelius Moloney was first appointed. At the silver jubilee Mass, held on Saturday, August 27, Archbishop Thomas Donnellan recalled the fact that this parish was one of the first foundations of new diocese. “You responded well in those days,” said the Archbishop, “and today you are just as generous in your response and service.”

The silver celebration liturgy was concelebrated by the three pastors who served the parish after the death of Monsignor Moloney in 1962, Monsignors Michael Regan, Noel Burtenshaw and Donald Kiernan. Also concelebrating was Father Chris Starr, associate pastor of the parish. Deacon for the Mass was Rev. Jim Schillinger.

Following the Mass, a parish “hoe-down” brought forth song, dance and good fellowship from the parishioners. The three pastors, along with the archbishop, mingled with families – new and old – remembering the struggles and the successes of the past. A supper was served in the school cafeteria while dancing continued under the stars.

The Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart had served Immaculate Heart of Mary since its foundation. The sisters were well represented at the celebration by former principal Sister Kathleen Purser. Other Grey Nuns present were Sisters Barbara Harrington, Jean Liston, Patricia Geary, Betty Donohue, Carol Bartol and Karen Marie Voltz, who is presently stationed in Syracuse, New York.

The parish remembered their “old” pastors with presentations of silver clocks. Archbishop Donnellan received a silver platter. “It was a warm, fitting remembrance of our short history,” said Monsignor Kiernan “We are ready to begin 25 more glorious years.”