Age: 33

Birth Date: Sept. 1, 1965.

Place of Birth: Kansas City, Mo., raised in Dunwoody.

Parents: Thomas and Mary Ellen Higgins.

Siblings: Five brothers, three sisters.

Education: Earned bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education, 1989, from Benedictine College, Atchison, Kan.; completes master of divinity degree in May from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.

Work Experience: Taught religious education for six years to persons with disabilities at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Atlanta; worked for six months as reporter and photographer for Atchison Daily Globe, Atchison, Kan.; did landscaping for nine seasons with Post Properties; worked for three years in golf department at resort in San Destin, Fla.

Primary Hobbies and Interests: Working out, watching baseball and football, reading, listening to classic rock and learning sign language.

Pastoral Internships: Served summer 1998 as deacon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Carrollton; worked summer 1997 at St. Thomas More Church, Decatur; served as cottage supervisor for adolescent boys, summer 1996, for Village of St. Joseph, Atlanta; worked in administration for archdiocesan vocations director and at Korean Martyrs Church, Doraville, summer 1995.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Youth ministry, senior citizens and people with disabilities.

First Mass: June 6 at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta.

First Assignment: Parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, a parish of 4,400 families.

Rector: Msgr. Thomas Kenny.