ATLANTA--The Cardinal McCloskey Award to an outstanding alumnus of Mt. St. Mary's Seminary was presented to Msgr. R. Donald Kiernan, pastor of All Saints Parish, Dunwoody, in October.

Presenting the award of the National Alumni Foundation of the Emmitsburg, Md., seminary was Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore. The award is named after Cardinal John McCloskey, first American-born cardinal and alumnus of Mt. St. Mary's.

The program at which Msgr. Kiernan was honored by more than 100 of his fellow priest alumni began with Mass in the seminary chapel, with Cardinal Keeler as principal celebrant and Msgr. Kiernan and Msgr. Kenneth Roeltgen, seminary rector, as concelebrants. Msgr. Walter Donovan of Atlanta was among those attending.

A reception and dinner honoring Msgr. Kiernan followed Mass. In presenting the award, Cardinal Keeler cited the recipient's dedication not only to the seminary but also to priestly development in general. Seminarians from the archdiocese who attend Mt. St. Mary's presented Msgr. Kiernan with a lithograph of the seminary and grounds.

Unable to be present, Archbishop John F. Donoghue sent a letter read by Cardinal Keeler in which he said:

"In the 47 years of his dedicated ministry, and certainly in the years that I have known him, the nature of monsignor's priesthood has been to work without cessation but at the same time, never to look for recognition. I want you all to know that this award could not go to a more suitable recipient."