BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

ATLANTA-Father Thomas Hennessy, 31, the son of Regina and Edmund Hennessy, is a native Georgian who grew up at Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Jude the Apostle parishes.

A 1983 graduate of Peachtree High School, Father Hennessy enlisted in the army after graduation. During his three years in the military he was stationed in Germany, Korea and Washington D.C., as a member of an infantry communications unit that supported an air defense artillery unit.

"I thought about the priesthood when I was in high school," said Father Hennessy. "It was a concept that was so foreign to me that I wasn't able to apply it to my life. But I knew I was being called to serve. When I joined the military I made a commitment to serve both my country and my God."

"It was during this time that I really took ownership of my faith," he said. "I realized that the things of this world are very passing things. When I was separated from my family and friends I came to the realization that the one thing I did have was my faith and my relationship with God. And no matter what else happened, these two things were always there. It was truly a period of personal growth for me because it was the first time that I actually understood that my faith was my own; I had the power to strengthen my relationship with Christ daily as I served him."

Father Hennessy feels that his vocation to the priesthood is a continuation of the step that he took when he enlisted in the military. "Basically, what I decided was that I wanted to be a soldier of Christ," he said. "Many of the skills that I learned in the army are applicable to my new ministry. For example, a priest, just like a soldier, has to constantly discipline himself and prepare for the struggles he must endure for the salvation of souls and for the good of God."

In 1986 Father Hennessy enrolled at Georgia State University where he earned a bachelor'd degree in interdisciplinary studies in 1992.

That same year he completed a pastoral year at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, and began his studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. He earned his master of divinity degree there this year.

"My time in seminary was very blessed," Father Hennessy said. "I went to seminary with one basic goal--to do God's will. I wasn't exactly sure where that would lead me. When I made the commitment to say 'yes' to God's will and follow my calling it was the beginning of my life, a life lived in and for God."

As a seminarian he completed pastoral internships at the Church of St. Benedict, Duluth, during the summer of 1994 and at Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta, during the summer of 1995. In 1993 he spent 10 weeks in Mexico studying Spanish. He was ordained a transitional deacon Nov. 18, 1995, at Mount Saint Mary. Auxiliary Bishop William E. Lori of Washington D.C., was the ordaining prelate.

Father Hennessy credits Msgr. Donald Kenny, director of vocations, Father Richard Lopez, a member of the faculty at St. Pius X Catholic High School, Atlanta, Father Edward Murray, SM, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Atlanta, and Father David Talley with nurturing his call to the priesthood.

Father Hennessy celebrated his first Mass at Holy Spirit Church at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 2.

Father Hennessy's parents and six of his sisters, Maureen, Patricia and Michelle Hennessy, Karen Matchett, Marguerite Hughes and Kathleen Nebel attended his ordination and first Mass.

He has been appointed to Holy Spirit Church, for his first assignment as a parochial vicar.