BY SUSAN STEVENOT SULLIVAN

Msgr. Donald Kiernan took his seat with a smile as the dedication of a Scout facility proceeded according to plan at All Saints Parish in Dunwoody on May 2. The smile faltered as master of ceremonies Richard Iaffaldano announced that something had been omitted from the evening’s program.

The faltering smile was transformed into a look of astonishment which was followed by joy as Msgr. Kiernan heard the announcement that the facility was to be named for him.

“We did this behind his back,” Iaffaldano said in an earlier interview. “We (parish pastoral board) think people should be honored while they’re alive and with us, so they can know how we feel. The people of this parish love him and we want to do this.”

A metal plaque unveiled on Kiernan Hall describes the pastor as a “Priest for all Georgia” and an embodiment of the principles of scouting.

More than 250 parishioners and 80 Boy and Girl Scouts were present for the dedication as were Archbishop John Donoghue, Vicar General Msgr. Edward Dillon, parish staff members and committee members, representatives of the area Scout councils and parish Scout troop leaders Jerry Travers, Alan Sims and Mary Mehan.

During his remarks Archbishop Donoghue noted that he had heard months ago that Msgr. Kiernan was building a “Scout hut.”

“His idea of a Scout hut and mine are very different,” the archbishop said, adding that the parish is fortunate that it was their pastor’s concept that became reality.

As the shadows lengthened, Archbishop Donoghue blessed the steel-reinforced, multi-room facility and sprinkled the front of the structure with holy water.

After the ribbon cutting those assembled entered the building for a look at the facilities and refreshments. As many as five Scout troops may use the building in the fall.