By Paula Day

The celebration had the heartache of a family's pending separation, the banter of a family's loving familiarity.

The Catholic community of Christ Our Hope parish said goodbye May 26 to its founding pastor, Father John Kieran, with a fellowship dinner. Father Kieran left May 28 to visit his family in Ireland and will return to take up leadership of St. Peter's parish in LaGrange June 20.

In remarks at the close of the farewell meal the priest acknowledged the anguish he felt leaving Christ Our Hope, saying he had hoped to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination next year with those who "truly have become my family."

"It was one of the toughest things I've done, to say 'yes' to LaGrange, 'yes' to the bishop," he told the more than 400 parishioners, friends, and guests crowded into the parish pavilion.

"My life and ministry has been the development of Christ Our Hope," he had written earlier in a letter to parishioners telling of his transfer. "I assisted in the birthing of so many things and I have made many friends here. I have great difficulty leaving you and the experiences of founding a parish."

Located in the Lithonia area of east DeKalb County, the parish was begun during the summer of 1984 when Father Kieran, living in a private residence canvassed the developing suburban subdivisions seeking out Catholic families.

Thirty-five of those future parishioners met in August for organizational purposes. On October 20 they celebrated the Eucharist for the first time as a parish community at the Lithonia Methodist Church. Seven years later the parish has 305 households. Its physical facilities include a multipurpose building which houses a sanctuary, offices, classrooms and a kitchen; a rectory; and the pavilion with a kitchen, used for larger parish gatherings.

Highlight of the Sunday afternoon farewell was the presentation to Father Kieran of a blue 1991 Pontiac Grand Am. Parishioners hope their gift will make frequent return visits to Atlanta easier. An obviously moved pastor delighted everyone who crowded around when he slipped behind the wheel and turned the ignition key. Before the vehicle, filled with green and white balloons, was driven into sight, he had opened individually-wrapped gifts which included a St. Christopher medal, map of Georgia, $10 for fuel and a tire repair kit. "How to practice stewardship in the Church," the pastor quipped when he opened a tape of inspirational music.

Among other mementos from the Christ Our Hope years was an album with pictures of parish happenings and letters from present and past parishioners. The parish youth group decorated a grey sweatshirt with colorful palm prints, an appropriate gift for a "hands-on" pastor who was known for his willingness to pitch in and help with work "around the place" as well as for his spiritual ministry, Redan Network, a coalition of ministers in the area, recognized the priest's collaborative efforts with a plaque.

Friends of Father Kieran from his former parish, St. Philip Benizi, area ministers, members of the Catholic Committee on Scouting, and former Christ Our Hope parishioners were present for the farewell celebration.

Father Richard Kieran, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, said he "just dropped in to see my brother off to Ireland," and then added seriously, "Nothing does more for a priest than to be loved by his parishioners."