By Rita McInerney

Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, and a few close aides kept a well-guarded secret until Sunday, Aug.2.

When the archbishop joined Father Dillon, pastor of Holy Spirit and vicar general of the archdiocese, on the altar at the 11:15 parish Mass that morning, Father Dillon explained the visit as the first in a series the archbishop planned to make to various archdiocesan parishes.

Then as the Liturgy concluded Archbishop Lyke rose and shared the surprise. "I'm not here this morning exactly for the reason Father Dillon gave," the archbishop said. "Last week I received something I have long awaited."

He told Father Dillon that word had been received from the Vatican by Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, apostolic pro-nuncio in Washington, D.C., conferring the title of monsignor on the vicar general in recognition of his outstanding work for the archdiocese over the past few years.

The formal title of the rank is Prelate of Honor to His Holiness and it is given by the pope.

After his initial astonishment, a beaming Father Dillon expressed his gratitude and said, "It's been a great pleasure to work with you," adding dryly, "most of the time."

"Over the past two years we've worked out a rather good working relationship," he said.

Parishioners lined up to congratulate Father Dillon after the Liturgy. A sign on the wall: "Congratulations, We're delighted! Monsignor Dillon," had been hastily printed by Ruth Maguire, director of religious education. Mrs. Maguire, who has known the newly-named monsignor since 1970 called him a "wonderful person to work with."

Nicki Elliott, president of the parish women's guild, said she felt the honor was "overdue. Everyone loves him."

Conor Fitzgerald, a seminarian who has spent several weeks at Holy Spirit, said it had been a "great experience" and that the pastor was a "tremendous help" in his formation. He returns to St. John's in Waterford, Ireland, as a fourth-year theology student next month.

Father Noel Brendan Doyle, a parochial vicar at Holy Spirit for the past three years, expressed his delight at the honor. "He's been a wonderful mentor to me ... He's been a great administrator and spiritual director to the people here."

The investiture will take place Sunday, Aug. 16 after the 5:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Church, 4465 Northside Drive, NW, Atlanta. The people of the parish will hold a reception in the parish hall after the ceremony. Everyone is invited, Mrs. Maguire said.

Father Dillon's sister and brother-in-law, Mary and John Mulrooney, of Vancouver Island, Canada, will be visiting him at that time. The Mulrooneys will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary the next day.

A golf and tennis outing for the priests on Tuesday, Aug. 18, is also being planned since many will not be able to attend the Sunday ceremony.

All prelates of honor were originally active in some way in the household of the pope or in the Roman Curia. From at least the 15th century, and frequently in recent times, the titles and privileges of the Roman prelates have been conferred as a papal honor upon clerics not engaged in such functions. The position of these prelates is one of honor and rank and does not involve them in ecclesiastical administration.