ATLANTA--Sacred Heart Church, which was constructed and dedicated during 1897 and 1898, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its dedication with festivities focusing on the past, present and future of the parish.

A centennial dinner will be held at the Marriott Marquis Saturday, April 25 at 6 p.m. to celebrate those involved over the years with this historic church. Pastors, priests, religious, parishioners, archdiocesan representatives, persons from the city of Atlanta and Fulton County and historical and preservation societies which aided in the historic preservation of the church building will be invited to attend this dinner.

On Sunday, April 26, a 10 a.m. Mass will be celebrated for Sacred Heart's senior parishioners who will be honored as caretakers of the past and as guides in present parish life.

On Sunday, May 3, Archbishop John F. Donoghue will celebrate the 10 a.m. Mass. A reception at SunTrust Plaza will follow the Mass from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Father Stephen Churchwell, pastor, will be joined by Marist priests, the founders of Sacred Heart Church, at the 12:20 p.m. high Mass, and Father Carlos Rocha will celebrate the 1:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish.

A Centennial Concert and Arts evening at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, will feature Sacred Heart's liturgical choir, contemporary music ensemble, Spanish choir and headliners from the church's Olympic arts festival. Visual arts, such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings and children's art that reflect parishioners' spirituality as inspired by Sacred Heart, will also be displayed. A wine and cheese reception will follow.

Centennial suppers that will commemorate the history of Catholic communities who met to pray together in their homes will be held throughout the parish from February through May. Parishioners will again gather in homes to pray and share meals establishing relationships that will carry Sacred Heart parish into the future.

In the fall, Sacred Heart will hold additional activities celebrating their anniversary. Centennial Ministry Sunday will give all parishioners the opportunity to discover and participate in the ministries of the parish through commitment and volunteering.

In addition, a time capsule highlighting elements of life and culture at Sacred Heart will be assembled by high school students of the parish.

Thirdly, a permanent art project will be created by the children of the parish, and finally, a wall mounting commemorating the 100 year existence of the church building will be dedicated.

Sacred Heart parishioners are currently developing a CD ROM which will provide an in depth history of the parish and a chronicle of the centennial year. Atlantans are asked to share Sacred Heart memories and memorabilia for the CD ROM and for an exhibit at the Catholic Center.

Volunteers are needed to help with these events and to contact former parishioners. Please contact the parish Centennial Committee at (404) 522-6800 to actively participate in the activities of this special year.