By Paula Day and Rita McInerney

Five lay Catholics, three men and two women, have been granted papal honors by Pope John Paul II, recognizing decades of service to the archdiocese of Atlanta.

The honors will be given to John Brent, Rawson Haverty, Sheila Mallon, Hughes Spalding, Jr. and Mary Wells. Their involvement spans service to the Catholic Church in a variety of ministries, including the archdiocese of Atlanta and its parishes, Catholic hospitals and the Village of St. Joseph, Catholic Social Services, the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholics Women and the pro-life movement.

Haverty has been named a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. John Brent and Hughes Spalding, Jr., have been named Knights of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. Membership in this order depends directly on the pope and is conferred on persons distinguished for personal character and reputation and for notable accomplishments.

Mrs. Mallon will receive the papal medal “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” (For the Church and the Pontiff), recognizing outstanding service to the Church and the papacy. Ms. Wells will receive the papal medal “Benemerenti” (to a well-deserving person), recognizing exceptional accomplishment and service.

The papal honors and medals are the first to be given in the archdiocese since 1982 and the first knighthoods to be conferred in four decades, according to longtime observers of the archdiocese. The presentations will be made at a Vespers service at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta on Feb. 4, at which Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, will preside. The 3:30 p.m. service will be followed by a reception.

The honors recognize “decades of outstanding service to the Church,” according to Father Edward Dillon, vicar general of the archdiocese.

“Rawson Haverty has provided major leadership in the diocese, most recently chairing the successful Capital Funds Drive in 1983.

“Sheila Mallon has put in countless hours working on the programs of the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and since before the Supreme Court decision in 1973 has been a leader in the pro-life movement in the archdiocese and the state of Georgia.

John Brent has been working for years in the Irish vocations program, assisting in obtaining the necessary visas for newly ordained priests. He has also volunteered his services to assist with the immigration program in Catholic Social Services.

“Mary Wells is being recognized for decades of outstanding lay leadership in the Catholic community, including the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and her parish, St. Paul of the Cross.

“Hughes Spalding, Jr. has been involved at all levels of the archdiocese. He was a major force in the early days of the Serra program in the archdiocese and a founding member of St. Jude’s parish.”

“These are quiet Catholic leaders who slog year after year after year and get the job done,” Father Dillon concluded. “Collectively they have given probably 100 plus years to the Church in North Georgia. While they are being honored as individuals, we’re really recognizing the critical importance of that kind of lay leadership in the Church."

Individual profiles of the five people show a diversity of involvement and service.

Rawson Haverty

Rawson Haverty, chairman and chief executive officer of Haverty’s Furniture Companies, Inc., will be honored as Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory.

The order is conferred on those who are distinguished for personal character and reputation, and for noteworthy accomplishments. Its membership depends directly on the pope.

A member of Holy Spirit parish, Haverty has made his business and leadership skills available in service to the church of Atlanta for over 30 years. Most recently he chaired the steering committee for the successful Capital Funds Drive initiated in 1983. He was the first chairman of the archdiocesan finance committee, serving from 1964 to 1978.

In addition to numerous civic and business leadership roles, including chairman of MARTA in 1970 and director and president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce in 1964, he was chairman of the board of trustees of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta from 1972 to 1982 and a member of the board of trustees of the Village of St. Joseph from 1967 to 1977. He was named archdiocesan “Man of the Year” for 1983 by The Georgia Bulletin.

Currently Haverty is an assistant Chairperson for the Capital Campaign for the Village of St. Joseph, the most recent example of his continuing support of the home for children with special needs.

This support began when the school was located in Washington, Ga., according to Sister Mary Frances Bruns, CSJ, administrator. As president of the Mary E. Haverty Foundation, Haverty has directed surplus funds to the Village at various times.

“He has been really, truly supportive over the years,” Sister Mary Frances said, “and he continues to be. That’s really wonderful. It’s strengthening for us on the staff. It means an awful lot.”

Joseph Estafen as director of the archdiocesan finance office worked with Haverty on the Capital Funds Drive and other archdiocesan projects.

“The guy’s an exemplary Catholic,” Estafen said. “He’s the personification of how a Catholic Christian should lead his life in many ways, particularly when it comes to service. He puts Christian action into play. He has a great deal of zeal, dedication and preparedness. I’ve never worked with him on any project for which he wasn't thoroughly prepared. He always had great insight and vision into the task.”

Haverty is a native Atlanta, the son of Clarence and Elizabeth Rawson Haverty. His father also received papal recognition, becoming a Privy Chamberlain of the Sword and Cape Supernumerary in 1949.

Haverty’s role of leadership and service began shortly after his graduation from the University of Georgia in 1941. While at North Fulton High School he was a cadet lieutenant colonel in the R.O.T.C. In 1942 he was called to active duty in the Army as a second lieutenant. His service took him to Europe where he took part in the Normandy invasion, the Battle of France, the Battle of Belgium and the Battle of Germany. He served as commandant at the headquarters of the Second Armored Division in central Germany and when discharged in 1945 held the rank of major.

Haverty is married to the former Margaret Middleton Munnerlyn of Jacksonville, Fla. They have three daughters and two sons.

“It’s quite an honor,” he said of the papal award. “I am very grateful, very pleased. I asked them if it meant direct access to heaven, and they told me ‘absolutely not.’”

John Brent

Special blessings have come to John William Brent and his wife Melanie over the past eight months.

On May 31, 1989, they welcomed their daughter Colleen Marie, adopted at the age of three weeks. Just recently came a telephone call informing them of the papal knighthood being conferred on John.

“It’s been a wonderful year,” he says gratefully.

John Brent just learned recently that his grandfather, William J. Tillmann, of Ontario, was honored with the Knight of St. Gregory title some 45 years ago. This is the same grandfather whom he tries to emulate in other areas of life.

“He always said when you had a big decision to make, take time out to say a prayer and have a good meal.” The Brents follow this advice.

John Brent has been in private legal practice since 1970, the same year he was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. A specialist in immigration and nationality law since 1972, he began representing the archdiocese in 1984 in bringing Irish and other priests to the archdiocese.

He and his firm have also worked with both Susan Colussy and her predecessor, Sister Barbara Harrington, GNSH, of the immigration office for the Catholic Social Services, and have provided legal services to numerous parishes in the archdiocese.

Sister Barbara remembers calling on him “often for information. He was always available, helpful and generous with his time.”

Another person grateful for his help is Sister Carolyn Oberkirch, RSM, whose OLA ministry to the needy and elderly covers a range of predicaments. He helped her, “for four or five months,” solve the immigration woes of an Ethiopian woman and her son. “He’s been involved with helping people for a long time. He is the kind of person who will help anytime you call him,” she says.

As a young lawyer working near the Municipal Court downtown, his fluency in Spanish (he is a native of Montreal and also speaks French) led to his being called into the courtroom often to interpret, not to represent, defendants. One such courtroom volunteerism brought him to the attention of an Immigration Service official. Specialization followed.

The Brents have been parishioners at St. Jude the apostle in Sandy Springs since 1982. There he is a Eucharistic minister, lector, has served as parish council secretary for two years, been involved with the Renew program, neighborhood outreach, Returning Catholics, the folk choir, among other activities.

He was a laborer on the house built by the parish for Habitat for Humanity and a volunteer at St. Anthony’s night shelter. He also taught the Ad Altari Dei classes for Boy Scouts.

At OLA where the Brents were parishioners from 1977 until 1982, he taught CCD for three years, and participated in the Christ Renews His Parish program.

He served on the OLA parish council for three years, including one year as president. He was an Eucharistic minister and lector, served on the liturgy committee and participated in several other programs.

The Brents are vice president couple of the Home and School Association at OLA School where son Kyle, 10, is a student. Kelly Barnes, principal, says John is “visible” at the school. She credits the Brents with obtaining excellent speakers for this year’s association meetings and like everyone else, is pleased when he comes out for a program with Colleen Marie under his arm.

His compassion for other members of the human race, not limited by borders or skin color, was heightened in the stimulating environment of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the early 1960s. His memories of outstanding men there who were not afraid to take their stand for civil rights remain clear.

He received his bachelor of arts degree in comparative literature and his juris doctor degree from that university.

He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1967 and is a member of the Atlanta, and American Bar Associations. He has been involved with the Atlanta chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1974. That year there were but four or five members of the chapter. Today, he says, there are more than 100.

Two older offspring, Lara and John, complete the Brent family.

Mary Wells

Mary Wells is a quiet woman whose church and community activities confirm the old adage that goes “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.”

She has been deeply involved with the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women since 1957; has served in every board position and led every commission over the years. She was president of the Atlanta Council in 1983-85 and secretary-treasurer of the organization’s Atlanta province for two years.

Last September, she was co-chairman of the convention of the National Council of Catholic Women which drew over 1,600 women to this city.

She was a delegate to the National Black Catholic Congress held in 1987 in Washington, D.C., and was named by Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, to serve on a task force to examine the first draft of Partners in the Mystery of Redemption, A Pastoral Response to Women’s Concerns for Church and Society in 1988.

She serves as a coordinator for the African-American Catholic Heritage Conference held annually by the Office for Black Catholic Ministry.

Rhonwyn Rogers, director of the office, calls the honor for Ms. Wells “timely and well deserved. She is a gentle spirited person very generous with her time. She is wonderful to work with.”

She is an active parishioner and Eucharistic minister at St. Paul of the Cross in southwest Atlanta. At present, she is serving her third year as president of the parish council. She has been president of both the Altar and Rosary Society and the women’s society and taught religious education for 15 years.

On two different occasions she was chosen Woman of the Year by the Altar and Rosary Society and the parish. She is a member of the parish Legion of Mary and also served as president of the Curia.

“She certainly is one of the most dedicated parishioners we have,” said Father Emmanuel Gardon, C.P., parochial vicar at St. Paul of the Cross. “Whenever you call upon her, she is there. As far as we’re concerned, she’s one fantastic lady.”

Ms. Wells expressed surprise that “they would think of me” to receive the Benemerenti medal. “I just try to do God’s work and keep my hand in His hand. It’s both a challenge and a reward to serve others and to see progress being made, not only in the Catholic faith community but in the larger community as well.”

Honors have come to her frequently for her service, both professional and voluntary. Organizations citing her include: the American Public Health Association, the Georgia Association of Retarded Citizens, the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (volunteer service award), North Carolina A&T State University (the President’s Pacesetter and Gold Medal awards), the Passionist community (Faithful Service award).

For 15 years she has been an Atlanta volunteer with the Women in Community Service (WICS), a national organization dedicated to fighting poverty by helping young people find opportunities to train for and to find jobs.

She is active in the American Business Women’s Association and has been named as its Woman of the Year. She belongs to the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., the Urban League and the NAACP. She is the first black woman to become a member of the North Metro Serra Club.

Her commitments also include the auxiliary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home and the auxiliary of Henrietta Egleston Hospital.

Traveling is one of her favorite diversions. Among memorable experiences she counts an audience with the pope during a trip to Rome in the early 1980s, and being named Friendship Force ambassador by Gov. George Busbee for a trip to Newcastle, England. She is still involved with the Friendship Force, a group founded by former President Jimmy Carter to foster international understanding and friendship.

A native of Dublin, Ga., she is the daughter of Pauline Cofer. She has a sister living in Dallas.

She received her B.S. degree from North Carolina A&T State University at Greensboro and studied further at Atlanta University. She is a mental health and mental retardation supervisor at the Georgia Retardation Center on North Peachtree Road in Dunwoody. She recently received her 30-year service award from the center.

Sheila Mallon

Sheila Mallon, a leader for 35 years in Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and in pro-life activities in the archdiocese and in the state, will receive the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal.

A member of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Atlanta, Mrs. Mallon came to Georgia in 1961 and almost immediately immersed herself in church activities, first as president of the parish Women’s Guild and then as president of the northeast deanery of the AACCW.

She was elected president of the AACCW after having served two terms as its organizational services chairperson. She continued her involvement after her term, chairing the Council’s pro-life and legislative committees, and, most recently, handling publicity for the National Council of Catholic Women biennial meeting, held in Atlanta in September 1989.

Throughout the years Mrs. Mallon has been a valued contributor to The Georgia Bulletin, beginning with a monthly column, “Council Chatter,” and later with a more frequent column, “Choose Life.” She also assisted in legislative coverage. She is now editor of the Georgia Right to Life newsletter “Life Issues.”

Mrs. Mallon’s activities have been focused on pro-life issues for the past decade. In 1979 she accepted the position of a pro-life coordinator for the Atlanta archdiocese. From then until she left the office in 1987 to care for her elderly mother, she was able to forge a network of pro-family and pro-life groups of many denominations which is still operating today. She continues to serve on the board of Georgia Right to Life.

Since August 1989 Mrs. Mallon has been director of a new statewide network of pro-life organizations whose aim is to educate Georgians about pro-life issues and to further the passage of pro-life legislation. Georgians for Common Sense About Abortion serves as a lobbying group at the state legislature representing pro-life issues. She also developed and helped present a program. “Teen Sex-cess In The 80s,” to teach teens to say “no” to sex. The program continues to be presented in area Catholic schools.

Of her work of leadership in the archdiocese, Father Dillon said, “She has given decades of outstanding work and lay leadership in the archdiocese, working with the AACCW over the years. She’s also been a major force in bringing together all of the various pro-life groups in the state and forging a coalition among those groups.”

Mrs. Mallon was born in New York City where she attended Catholic elementary and secondary schools as well as Queens and Brooklyn colleges. She is married to Herb Mallon of Read, Mallon, Clanton, Inc., an Atlanta food brokerage. The Mallons have two adult sons, David and Brian.

When she was told of the honor, Mrs. Mallon said she was talking with Father Dillon on the telephone.

“I was completely floored, still am. I can’t believe it. I’m thrilled, gratified, absolutely surprised. It is a very unexpected honor.”

The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice decoration had its origin in 1888 as a token of the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood of Pope Leo XIII. The medal, in the shape of a cross, bears likeness of Sts. Peter and Paul, the tiara and the papal keys. On it are the words Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which are translated “For the Church and the Pontiff,” and the name of the present pope, John Paul II. It is attached to a yellow and white ribbon, the papal colors.

Hughes Spalding, Jr.

Native Atlanta Hughes Spalding, Jr. has a long record of service to the archdiocese as well as to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, St. Joseph’s Hospital and numerous other Atlanta institutions.

A parishioner at Holy Spirit, he was a member of the steering committee for the archdiocesan Capital Funds Drive from 1983 to 1985. He has also been involved in fundraising for the old St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown Atlanta and the new complex on Peachtree Dunwoody Road.

He is a member of the board of directors of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta.

Both his father, Hughes Spalding, Sr., and his grandfather, Jack Spalding, received papal honors for their service to the Church. Jack Spalding was invested with the insignia of the Order of St. Gregory on June 15, 1928, in Sacred Heart Church.

Hughes Spalding, Sr. and Clarence Haverty were honored as Privy Chamberlains of the Sword and Cape Super-numerary at a ceremony April 26, 1949 at the Cathedral of Christ the King. At the same time Bernard J. Kane was honored as a Knight of St. Sylvester.

The Spalding family gave 10 acres for St. Jude’s Church in Sandy Springs where he was a founding parishioner, according to Monsignor R. Donald Kiernan.

Although he retired as senior partner in the highly regarded city law of King and Spalding on Jan. 1, 1990, he maintains an office in the firm’s headquarters in the Trust Company Tower.

He is “still doing what I’ve been doing. I’m down here every day. I still have a lot of work to do,” he says.

He is married to the former Florence A. Taylor and is the father of eight children and grandfather to 13. His first wife was the late Ann Boiling Graham Spalding.

A graduate of Georgetown University, class of 1939, and the University of Georgia Law School in 1941, he is an emeritus member of the Board of Regents at Georgetown and a director of the alumni association. He also is an emeritus trustee at Atlanta University and Morehouse College, Atlanta.

Other honors he has received are honorary doctor of laws from Morehouse in 1981, Founder’s Award of the Kidney Foundation of Georgia in 1980, and the John Carroll Alumni Award from Georgetown in 1980.

Monsignor Kiernan was “happy about the awards” and said Hughes Spalding, Jr. was a “brilliant, steady man.” He remembered him as one of the “founding fathers of the Serra Club” in Atlanta.

He has served as president of the Serra Club of Metropolitan Atlanta and on the board of trustees of Serra International; as a director and member of the executive committee of Catholic Social Services, Inc.; director of Mercy Health Services of the South and the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

He was involved in fund raising and relocation of Marist School from its downtown location to its present site on Ashford Dunwoody Road, and served on the advisory committee for Ignatius House, the Jesuit retreat house in Atlanta.

He is a former president of the Christ the King Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

He has served as co-general chairman of the United Appeal of Metropolitan Atlanta; co-chairman of the Georgia Heart Association campaign; president of the Kidney Foundation of Georgia and the Big Brothers of Atlanta, Inc., and director of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Metropolitan Atlanta.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Army and was separated with the rank of major in the infantry.

(Gretchen Keiser also contributed to this article.)