MARIETTA--The annual Shepherds Night dinner of the archdiocese was held Feb. 4, bringing together priests working in North Georgia with lay men and women who belong to two local Serra Clubs.

The dinner honors the work of archdiocesan and religious order priests who serve the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The evening was held at St. Ann's Church and began with a social hour followed by dinner. Entertainment was provided by comedian Jeff Justice.

Archbishop John F. Donoghue attended the celebration and expressed his gratitude to the priests for their vital contributions to the archdiocese.

North Metro Atlanta Serra Club President Joe Krygiel and Serra International President Jack McLaughlin, a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Atlanta, also thanked the priests for their service to the archdiocese and stressed the importance of praying for vocations. A similar event honoring sisters serving in the archdiocese was held in December.

Two Serra Clubs, in metro and north metro Atlanta, work to support and foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the archdiocese. Members are lay Catholics, both women and men. The organization is named in honor of Blessed Junipero Serra, a Franciscan missionary in the 1700s in California.