BY GRETCHEN KEISER

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--After four years in the post, Msgr. Don Kenny will step down as chancellor of the archdiocese to become pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Marietta. The change is to take place June 20.

Msgr. Kenny, 46, will continue to serve as vocations director of the archdiocese.

First appointed chancellor by the late Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, Msgr. Kenny was asked to continue in that role by Archbishop John F. Donoghue in 1993.

Msgr. Kenny said that he believes his talent and interest lie more in pastoral work than in the area of finance and administration where the chancellor serves as an adjunct to Msgr. Edward Dillon, the vicar general.

Msgr. Dillon serves as moderator of the curia, a position coordinating and overseeing archdiocesan departments and agencies for the archbishop. Both the moderator of the curia and the chancellor review departmental budgets and are involved in the financial planning and decision-making of the archdiocese in conjunction with Michael McNamara, the chief financial officer, as well as the vision and direction for the future of the archdiocese.

"I feel that my talents lie more in a pastoral setting, like vocations or parish work, than in financial administration or the prospect of building new parishes and schools," Msgr. Kenny said. "In a word, I really do not have what Msgr. Dillon has--the ability to do these things--and I felt he needed to get somebody in who had that ability and who would be a help to him."

The position of chancellor will be assumed by Father Mark W. Lacey, 30, who was ordained to the priesthood in June 1995 after studying in Rome.

In addition to his degree in sacred theology from Gregorian University, Father Lacey also has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Emory University and is a certified public accountant.

Father Lacey has been serving as a parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Parish, Lilburn since his ordination. As a seminarian he served at St. Joseph's Parish, Athens, and Prince of Peace Parish, Buford. As a transitional deacon he was assigned to Holy Family Parish, Marietta.

The son of Patrick and Mary Lacey of Atlanta, he grew up in England and went to high school in Connecticut before the family moved to Atlanta. Father Lacey graduated from Emory University in 1986 and worked at Arthur Andersen & Co. as a senior accountant for four years. His work entailed assisting small businesses.

"We were often out in the field," he said. "You learn to work with people. Working in the business world helps you tremendously in understanding where people are coming from. I know what it is like to pay the bills, the competitive world a lot of people are working in where maybe your job is not so secure."

"The job of chancellor is balancing the pastoral side with the practical side of the church in its business function," Father Lacey said, "making sure that the church is financially sound and that we can provide the services that are so necessary."

While recognizing his prior work experience and business education as useful to the church, Father Lacey said he also wants to remain pastorally involved.

He recalled that at ordination he promised obedience to the archbishop and his successors "and I took that very seriously."

"Wherever my talents lie I expect to use them for the service of the church...I think it will require a special effort on my part to maintain my connection with the parish level."

Msgr. Kenny will be assuming his first pastorate when he becomes the first archdiocesan priest to serve as pastor of St. Joseph's in Marietta. The Marist order has staffed the parish since its founding.

He has been given the assistance of two newly ordained priests, who will be assigned as parochial vicars with him.

The vocations program, Msgr. Kenny believes, is now at a stage where it will not absorb as much of his time since it is well structured and supported by a "very strong vocations committee and two very strong Serra Clubs." Over 60 seminarians are currently in formation.

"I think it will bring the parish into contact with many people who want to be priests or Religious or with people who are already studying to be priests or Religious. I think it would be good for the parish," Msgr. Kenny said.

"I'm really looking forward to going to be the pastor there. I have big shoes to fill in both Father (Bob) Baker and Father (Bill) Seli. I am extremely grateful to the Marists for the tremendous work they have put into that parish over the many, many years they have been associated with St. Joseph's," he said. "There is a teriffic support staff in the parish."

"It has been tremendous training for me working with Archbishop Donoghue and Msgr. Dillon and I am going to miss a lot of friends that I have made here among the (Catholic Center) staff, but I know it is time to move on."

A native of Portarlington, County Laoise, Ireland, Msgr. Kenny graduated from University College Dublin with degrees in liberal arts and education. He taught and served as senior master of a London high school before entering seminary at All Hallows in Dublin. Ordained Dec. 8, 1984, he spent four years at St. Pius X High School as dean of students, became full-time vocations director in 1990 and chancellor as well in 1992.

Msgr. Dillon said the appointment reflected Msgr. Kenny's desire to be more involved in pastoral work and "with his level of energy" Msgr. Dillon believes his colleague will be able to continue vocations work and pastor the parish. Both roles are very significant to the archdiocese, Msgr. Dillon noted. He also said that Msgr. Kenny, as pastor, will be able to assist newly ordained priests to develop administrative experience to become the pastors of the future.