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BY ERIKA ANDERSON
Staff Writer
ATLANTA--Catholics of all ages, races and ethnic groups gathered Jan. 16 at
the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate the life of the man who
worked to promote equality and justice for all people.
On a warm day that defied winter, Archbishop John F. Donoghue presided at
the prayer service that commemorated the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
The choir from Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Atlanta led the congregation in
song as members of the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver processed into
the church, the women in white dresses, hats and gloves, and the men in blue
blazers and hats.
Howard Brown, director of the Office for Black Catholic Ministry, began the
service by reminding the congregation that King was a “drum major for
justice.”
“We rally to pledge ourselves once again to that drumbeat that is
justice, even as our brother, Martin, did,” he said.
Father Reginald Brady, a priest from Detroit who gave the homily, began by
expressing his joy over being in Atlanta on a beautiful sunny day.
“When I left Detroit, it was six degrees. There was at least a foot of
snow on the ground,” he said. “Needless to say, I’m very glad to
be here.”
Father Brady quoted from Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream”
speech and said that the ripples of his dream are still felt.
“Martin, our beloved brother, believed in justice, and believed it
could not come too fast, for we hear the echo of Dr. King even today,” he
said.
Justice is achieved when people are completely centered and focused on
Christ, he said.
“Dr. King understood in a way that few do that justice comes about only
when we understand our oneness with God and our oneness with each other,”
he said. “Because our God is one, Christians may not gather each week in
church and eat the Bread of Life and drink the Cup of Salvation and harbor ill
will against (others).”
Father Brady said that Christ, by his life and death, not only saved us, but
calls us to give to others.
“We need to remember that we have been freed not to be served, but to
serve,” he said. “We have been set free and we are called to be
God’s servants of justice. We know that our task is not yet complete.
There is still work to be done.”
Following Father Brady’s talk, members of archdiocesan churches who are
living their calls to serve others, were honored with Peace and Justice Awards.
Quentin Hutchins, a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Atlanta,
received an award for his efforts with the youth of the parish. Hutchins has
been employed by OLL as a teacher’s aide and as a summer camp counselor.
He also has been instrumental in training altar servers from the parish and
serves as Junior Knight Commander for the parish’s Knights of St. Peter
Claver Council 300 and for the Atlanta area, planning and guiding service
activities for youth.
Hutchins said that receiving the award was a thrill.
“I didn’t expect it, but I’m glad to have it,” he said.
“It’s nice that people see the good things you do and it feels great
that people appreciate you.”
Brother Curt Kedley, Glenmary Home Missioner and parishioner of Christ Our
King and Savior Church, Greensboro, was honored with a Peace and Justice Award
for his work with the Human Relations Council to bring reconciliation in
Hancock County. He has also worked with the clergy in an effort to promote
racial harmony in Sparta, a town that has experienced great racial tension in
the past. Brother Kedley also works with Helping Hands, a non-profit
organization that runs a food pantry once a month for individuals and families.
Parishioners of Transfiguration Church in Marietta, William and Lillian
Corrigan were also given a Peace and Justice Award. Both over 70 years old, the
Corrigans work tirelessly for social justice. Their work includes establishing
Pax Christi chapters and demonstrating against social justice and oppression.
They have even suffered incarceration for their stance and have worked to
educate others about social injustices.
Awarded for her work with the poor and needy, Regina Sanford of St. Paul of
the Cross Church, Atlanta, was given a Peace and Justice Award. Sanford worked
for years as a teacher in the Atlanta Public Schools. She volunteers at Central
Presbyterian Shelter at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the
homeless and works with the Knights of St. Peter Claver and the Ladies
Auxiliary in their ministry at the Bankhead Courts Public Housing Development,
helping children to read and develop life skills. She worked with the Parish
Giving Tree Project during Advent and, as a member of St. Paul of the Cross
Social Concerns Committee, she helped to organize a job fair for residents of
Bankhead Courts and Bowen Homes Public Housing Projects.
Douglas and Melba Paschal were awarded for their efforts in promoting peace
and justice at St. Anthony’s Church, Atlanta. Under the leadership of Doug
Paschal, St. Anthony’s has joined two other parishes in a partnership,
building three homes for Habitat for Humanity. Melba Paschal has pioneered a
proactive health program at St. Anthony’s offering community workshops and
lectures on the illnesses that particularly afflict minorities and ways to
treat them. She calls on doctors and other medical professionals to provide
services free of charge to the public. The Paschals are also co-chairs of the
Capital Campaign for Catholic Schools at St. Anthony’s.
Janice Burrell, a member of St. Clement’s Church in Calhoun, received a
Peace and Justice Award for her lay leadership in working with Hispanic members
of the parish and with Brother Bob Russell, MS, particularly while the parish
was without a resident pastor. As chairperson for the Pastoral Council, Burrell
has worked in every aspect of parish life.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society from Our Lady of the Assumption Church in
Atlanta was given an award for its support of the needy. In 1998 the Society
from OLA handled 480 cases, assisting families with rent, utilities, food and
medical expenses and promoting peace and justice within the community.
Two students at Morehouse College, who are also members of the Atlanta
University Catholic Center, were given Peace and Justice Awards.
Kenneth Nutt, a senior chemistry major, leads the Service Saturday Program
at the Catholic Center at AUC, which organizes monthly involvement of Atlanta
University students in the soup kitchen program for the homeless at the Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception. He is a mentor in the Morehouse Mentoring
program, which assists and encourages students from Frederick Douglass High
School. Nutt also participates in the Catholic Center’s fund raising for
the Sickle Cell Foundation and AIDS Outreach.
John Phillips, a Morehouse sophomore, also participates in the Sickle Cell
and AIDS fund-raising efforts. He spends each day after classes working with
children in a “Make A Difference” center, an outreach program geared
toward helping children whose lives are constantly challenged. He serves
regularly in feeding and interacting with the homeless at the Shrine and is a
ministry assistant at the Catholic Center, assisting with the center’s
many activities, including Bible study, forums and community outreach services.
In addition, Phillips is the recipient of the Bonner Scholarship, which is
given to students who excel in community service activities.
Espinetta Dorsey, a parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Decatur, was
awarded for her leadership in the parish for the past 25 years. She has served
on the parish council and is actively involved with the Girl Scouts, serving as
area supervisor and board member. She was active in the church’s
renovation campaign and is an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, serving
Communion at the altar and to shut-ins. She visits nursing homes and is active
in prison ministry both to those incarcerated and, through the Kairos Outside
Experience, provides spiritual support to relatives and families of female
prisoners. She is also the immediate past president of the Evangelization
Committee.
Dorsey said she was honored and surprised by the award, but that her
ministry has the most meaning for her.
“(The award) means a lot, but what I do means much more,” she
said. “I’m only trying to do what I think God wants me to do.
He’s given me everything I’ve asked for and I’m only trying to
give something back.”
Although recipients of the Peace and Justice Awards have shown the
importance of King’s message, Father Brady reminded the congregation of
the importance of everyone living their faith.
“Dr. King lived his calling to the fullest,” he said. “We are
also called, through our baptism, to be a light to our nation.”
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