By Monsignor Noel C. Burtenshaw

Four priests in North Georgia, celebrate 25 years of priesthood in 1984.

Father Alan M. Dillmann, pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Atlanta, will celebrate the occasion on Sunday, May 20. A concelebrated Mass at 11:00 a.m. is to take place followed by a reception in the parish hall.

Father Dillmann was born in New York City. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and was ordained in 1959. After ordination he served as assistant pastor at the Cathedral of Christ the King. He was a teacher at St. Pius X High School before becoming pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Atlanta. Father Dillmann also served as pastor of St. Philip Benizi Church in Jonesboro, Church of the Good Shepherd in Cumming and was appointed to Holy Spirit in 1982.

Father Dillmann's’ father, William, died last year. His mother, Mrs. Emily Callaghan Dillmann, lives in Atlanta.

Father Robert Dyer, a missionary of LaSalette, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna, celebrated his silver anniversary on Saturday, May 5. A reception followed the Mass in the parish hall.

Father Dyer was born in Belmont, Mass. He is one of four children. His parents are deceased. After ordination Father Dyer was stationed in LaSalette parishes in Hartford, Conn. He was also assigned to Dagenham in England. For some years he was pastor of St. Francis Church in Phoenicia in New York. Before his assignment to St. Thomas Church in Smyrna, he was stationed in St. Jude’s parish in Sandy Springs.

A classmate of Father Dyer, Father Peter McKeown, pastor of St. Francis Church in Catersville, also celebrates 25 years this year. Father McKeown first came to Georgia in 1969 to begin the LaSalette ministry in the South.

He was born in Worcester, Mass. and has served in many LaSalette parishes including work in London, England for some years. Father McKeown’s parents are deceased. He has one sister.

Father McKeown celebrated his anniversary on May 6 in Cartersville. His parishioners honored him with a parish picnic following the Mass.

Another religious to celebrate 25 years of priesthood is Dominican Father Robert Perry.

Father Perry is a native of Chicago. He is director of the Dominican Study Center in Atlanta. He has just completed his studies to obtain his doctorate degree.

For many years, Father Perry has been in retreat work and has also taught spiritual direction at Rockford, Ill. Father Perry’s parents are deceased.

Father Perry’s celebration took place at Holy Cross Church in Chamblee on April 29.