By Thea Jarvis

Despite overcast skies, damp spring weather, and the absence of a resident archbishop, spirits were high among priests gathered for the Mass of Chrism at the Cathedral of Christ the King April 6.

The annual celebration of sacramental priesthood drew some 100 clergy from all corners of the archdiocese, as well as permanent deacons, seminarians and laity who joined in the morning liturgy.

“I think the (priests) are really coming out to support each other, to keep the church moving,” said Father Willie Hickey, parochial vicar at All Saints Church in Dunwoody.

“The meaning behind the Mass is that we are a miniature representation of the whole church,” Father Hickey said.

Father Michael McWhorter, ordained in December, celebrated his first Chrism Mass with fellow priests this year, though he had served at the Mass as seminarian for the past six years.

Like most in attendance, Father McWhorter felt the absence of Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, but was grateful to have Bishop W. Thomas Larkin, retired bishop of St. Petersburg, Fla., preside at the Mass.

“There’s something special about renewing the vows of priesthood with him because he ordained me,” Father McWhorter said.

Bishop Larkin told the congregation he was “feeling very much at home” in the archdiocese because of his frequent presence here over the past two years. He led priests in their traditional commitment to service in the church.

“Are you ready to renew your own dedication to Christ as priests of his new covenant,” Bishop Larkin asked, “joyfully sacrificing personal pleasure and ambition to bring (Christ’s) peace and love to your brothers and sisters?

Would the priests teach the Christian faith “without thinking of your own profit, solely for the well-being of the people you were sent to serve?”

The priests’ affirmations were complemented by the prayer of the people, also led by Bishop Larkin.

“Ask the Lord to bless (priests) … to help them be faithful ministers … so that they will be able to lead you to him,” he said.

Following renewal of priestly promises, Bishop Larkin blessed the oils of the sick and catechumens and consecrated the oil of chrism used to administer baptism, confirmation and holy orders.

In his homily, he observed that increased demands made priestly life a high-stress vocation.

“The essential elements of priesthood haven’t changed,” he said. “What has changed is the challenges we have to meet.”

Priests can reduce stress by accepting the teaching of the church’s universal magisterium, Bishop Larkin said, since “oneness in faith is crucial to a Gospel community.”

Additionally, he advised, priests can focus on personal spirituality. “Lifestyles really do reflect our faith,” he said. “The closer we come to the Lord, the closer we come to each other.”

Strengthening the fraternity of the priesthood may also alleviate the high stresses of clerical life, he suggested, urging clergy to “support and affirm (your) brother priests” in prayer and action.

The Chrism Mass and the luncheon following in the Hyland Center was a chance for such fellowship.

“I’m new to all this,” said Father Frank Forts, happy to join the community of clergy at the cathedral. The parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hapeville was studying in Baltimore during Holy Week last year. “I look forward to opportunities to get together with brother priests,” he said of this year’s event.

Like Father Forts, St. Philip Benizi pastor Father Patrick Mendola, OFM, Conv., missed last year’s Chrism Mass in Atlanta and “looked forward to the priests coming together” this year.

Being without a bishop was “emotionally hard,” he said, since a bishop is “a sign of unity.”

Before being assigned to Atlanta, Father Mendola spent Holy Week on the street, he said, ministering to runaways at the Franciscan Center in Buffalo, NY.

During Holy Week, he would take homeless youngsters to inner city parishes where they often sang in the choir and sometimes had their feet washed during the Holy Thursday liturgy, he remembered.

Father Richard Morrow, pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Cumming, has attended his share of Chrism Masses at the cathedral and enjoys the “camaraderie of the day.”

“Once again we are without an (archbishop), but God sees to it that the work of the church goes on,” Father Morrow said. Seeing an influx of new priests in the community is heartening, he said, since “they’re the ones who have to carry on.”

Father Dan Stack, who made the hour and 20-minute drive from his parish of St. Bernadette in Cedartown, arrived early for the celebration.

Archbishops Eugene Marino, SSJ, and Lyke “were really good at building clergy morale. I miss that now,” Father Stack said.

Father Pat Bishop, pastor of Transfiguration Church in Marietta, said he passed the archbishop’s residence on the way to the cathedral and “had an empty feeling.”

“We need a pastor,” he said candidly.