By Susan Stevenot Sullivan, Staff Writer

PEACHTREE CORNERS--Mary Our Queen, a mission of All Saints Parish, Dunwoody, has two well-established weekend liturgies, 140 registered families and is now working on expanding its ministries.

The mission, which serves the Peachtree Corners and Berkley Lake areas of Gwinnett County, has been established in the center of the Nortech Office park at 5875 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., north of Holcomb Bridge Road.

Priest-in-charge Father Jack Druding said the mission recently received the last occupancy permit needed from the county. Securing an office park location took longer than anticipated, five months, but was part of the vision for the parish.

“We wanted an office site so we could have activities here during the week,” Father Druding said. “We hope eventually to have activities here every night. We’re here evenings and on the weekends when the business residents are not around.”

The worship area has been enlarged by the relocation of a wall. Additional doors, new carpeting, new chairs and fresh paint have transformed the space where 250-300 people attend each weekend Masses, Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.

The space also includes rooms which will be converted to classrooms when religious education begins at the mission in the fall.

“All Saints has helped us out tremendously,” said Father Druding, seated in the greeting area on a couch, one of many items donated by the parish or its parishioners. “They have helped financially and with prayer and moral support.”

Currently functioning ministries include a Welcome Table (greeting and refreshments), lectors, eucharistic ministers, nursery, altar servers, music (including traditional and folk groups), steering committee and ushers.

The leaders of those ministries, such as the director of the traditional choir, Tom Bell, are eager for new members.

Ministries about to begin include a men’s club, a women’s circle, finance committee, children’s choir, religious education planning and Wednesday activity night.

“The enthusiasm of the people is tremendous,” Father Druding said. “We look forward to a bright future.”

The mission is putting together a budget and expects to mail contribution envelopes to parishioners by April. Father Druding is having a map hung in the greeting area for families to indicate their location with a push pin - to help determine the best location for the permanent parish site.

The increasing cost of land in the area is a concern of Father Druding, who would like to begin work on land acquisition soon.

Phone installation is expected this month at the mission site. In the meantime, for information about joining Mary Our Queen mission or one of the ministries, contact Father Druding through All Saints Parish at (404) 393-3255.