BY RITA McINERNEY

and KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writers

ATLANTA--Sacred Heart Church has added some welcoming innovations for the Olympic season without overlooking its dedication to spirituality and hospitality.

"When we were thinking about plans and preparation, I kept thinking about what we needed to offer," the pastor, Father Stephen Churchwell, said. "What I kept coming back to was that our number one responsibility is the provision of the sacraments."

"That's what we are regularly here for; it shouldn't be any different during the Olympics."

To meet the spiritual needs of international guests Father Churchwell expanded the schedule and offered Mass in Spanish, Latin, English and French.

"Things have really been a bit slower than all of us expected," he said. "On the average we've had about 100 to 150 people in attendance at each Sunday Mass. There was one Mass when we only had 12. I don't intend to make any changes in the Mass schedule even if only a few people attend. Those who come are looking for Christ in the sacraments, and that's exactly what they will find. Even if we only have one person in attendance, we will celebrate Mass."

On the first Sunday during the Olympics, Father Churchwell said that "75 percent of the people who came were visitors and the remaining 25 percent were parishioners." The visitors included Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee, and some heads of state.

The pastor said his parishioners took MARTA, walked and even rode bicycles to Mass.

"There are parishioners who have been coming to this church for the last 60 years and nothing, not even the threat of horrendous traffic during the Games, would prevent them from coming to Mass at Sacred Heart."

About 80 parish volunteers helped to make a stop at the historic downtown church a restful interlude for Olympic visitors. They are providing water to the heat-worn and church tours and religious performances to soothe the spirit.

"It is a very rewarding feeling to be pastor of a parish where you have so many people willing to serve their church in any capacity," the pastor said.

Seminarian Andrew Schoenfield helped set up the water station. The Salvation Army loaned two 10-gallon water containers while Coca-Cola donated 40,000 paper cups.

One Sunday religious education students who were confirmed in May handed out cups of water during the heat of the afternoon. The sidewalk outside the church has been converted into an inviting center with a tent shading thirsty travelers from the sun.

Inside the church, their senses are eased by its glowing liturgical beauty, deep relief from blatant citywide commercialism. Tours are given at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

Greeters offer brochures in several languages. Dr. Marion Kuntz, a parishioner on the language faculty at Georgia State University, was instrumental in having the brochure detailing the history and architectural beauties of the church translated into French, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese.

Volunteer Ralph Abifadel, a graduate student at Mercer University, is putting his multilingual skills to good use. He finds many visitors speak French, but he has also helped people speaking Spanish and Arabic.

People, especially those from the northern U.S. cities, are interested in the age and history of the church which was designed and built in 1897, he said.

Others have commented to him on its uniqueness among the churches they have seen in Atlanta. The Europeans "want to know more about being a minority religion in the South."

Most of the people, Abifadel said, "seem to be coming here as their objective after getting information from their hotels." And some, he admitted, "seem fascinated by the confessional."

"We thought we would get tons of people. It's not happening," he said. "They are more into sports than art. But I believe next week will be much better."

Mary Alice Hearns goes on greeter duty for three hours after finishing her eight-hour day as receptionist in the church office. She loves all the activity, meeting people from other continents. For her, it's the "greatest thing, after Mother Teresa's visit, that's happened here."

Sacred Heart is part of the "Celebrate Faith and Arts" program sponsored by churches along the Peachtree corridor. Its schedule of concerts and performances has been coordinated by parishioner Jerry Pace.

Entertainment has ranged from church, youth and community choirs, wind quintets, instrumental ensembles, to bell ringers and solo presentations. The one-hour performances are given afternoons or evenings throughout the Olympics.

"We're not being swamped," Pace said, "but we're here."

On view is an exhibit of photographs by Cam Busch of Signal Mountain, Tenn. They were taken on a pilgrimage to Ireland and include treasures of Celtic Christianity.

"The exhibit reminds us what the Irish did to start this parish," Father Churchwell remarked.

"There is nothing commercial about what we are offering," Father Churchwell said. "We are here to serve those with spiritual needs. What is important is the spiritual growth of each person who enters this church, wherever they are in their spiritual development. Because this is our objective we haven't lost our focus about what we are trying to accomplish during these Games."