|
BY PRISCILLA GREEAR
Staff Writer
ATLANTA--Deacon Bill Lyday has served the Atlanta Archdiocese since 1982 by
administering and inspecting new parish and school building construction
projects, helping to build the churches of tomorrow.
Deacon Lyday, 68, will retire from his current job as field representative
for the archdiocesan Catholic Construction Services, Inc. on June 30.
“I’m really proud to have (had) the opportunity to work for the
church. You feel like you’re really accomplishing something that the Lord
put you on the earth for--especially if you can spread his word,” he said.
He is glad to have been able to work in the area of building construction
for the growing archdiocese, which has expanded to nearly 100 parishes. He
noted that north Georgia mountain regions in particular are quickly growing.
The St. Vincent de Paul Mission in Dallas where he serves as deacon recently
added another Mass and his parish, St. John Vianney in Lithia Springs, built a
new church with almost double the seating capacity.
“I just look and I see all the growth that has been here since
I’ve been here and it’s very satisfying,” he said.
“It’s not going to slow down for a while.”
As a field representative with CCS, formed in 1997 to handle archdiocesan
construction projects, Deacon Lyday has inspected new parish and school
construction sites daily, making sure they are being constructed properly and
on time. As he now passes on the torch to others, CCS currently has 28 church
construction projects underway and 15 on the boards. He said the largest recent
construction projects have been an approximately $12 million project at the
Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, and a $6 million project at the Church
of St. Andrew, Roswell.
Before CCS was formed he served as director of new construction in the late
‘80s and early ‘90s. He has particularly enjoyed the opportunity to
spend time in parishes.
“I like to be out in the parishes. That’s the real church out
there. I have a pretty good relationship with most of the priests, at least I
think I do,” he said.
The challenge of his building inspection work, he added, is finding the
patience to deal with contractors and architects, who sometimes change their
work plans without approval or forget to order things like windows, which can
hold up a project for a month and a half.
Upon settling into his first retirement following 12 years of service as an
administrator at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta, the deacon was called out
of that more leisurely lifestyle by Father Richard Morrow, then pastor of St.
Jude the Apostle Church, who asked him to oversee a construction project in his
parish and who had also asked him to consider entering the diaconate program.
After working at St. Jude’s in 1982, Deacon Lyday became the first
deacon to serve as vice chancellor of the archdiocese, where he helped the
chancellor oversee all Catholic Center departments. While serving as vice
chancellor and director of new construction, he was an administrator of the
all-volunteer archdiocesan building committee.
A native of Detroit, he began his 20-year career with the Navy in personnel
administration where he traveled with an admiral inspecting naval air station
departments.
“I’ve always related to people well. Being in personnel
administration you have to be able to relate to people,” he said, in his
calm and friendly way.
Anno Hardage, chancellor for operations, described Deacon Lyday as a man of
high integrity dedicated to pastors and parishioners, who has done exceptional
work in construction services and other areas for the archdiocese.
“It’s been outstanding. When I came, he was the one that initiated
the parish inspection program (on maintenance) which was sorely needed. He
brought a lot of skill to that area and I believe that the pastors at that time
were very appreciative.”
She said his work with the archdiocesan building committee was particularly
notable. Before the advent of CCS and its full-time staff, Deacon Lyday
“basically was doing all that Catholic Construction Services does with
volunteers, which is actually remarkable,” she said.
Father Morrow, a friend since 1966, recalled the great job Deacon Lyday did
as head of the building committee for the parish rectory at St. Thomas the
Apostle Church, Smyrna. That led Father Morrow to ask for his help again with
the project at St. Jude’s. The deacon “loves the church and is very
devoted to his family. He’s got so many good qualities,” said Father
Morrow. “He had a great ability for working with people and getting things
done.”
“A number of priests have commented how much he has helped them and
they appreciate his pleasantness and just trying to be cooperative,” he
added.
Raised Presbyterian, Deacon Lyday was introduced to Catholicism by his wife
before their marriage and converted in 1952, being drawn to the faith by its
strict regimen which involved obligations like weekly Mass and confession.
“There was more required of you as a Catholic than there was in other
denominations. As a military man that seemed very attractive to me at the
time,” he said.
Going beyond his lay Catholic call of duty, he was ordained a deacon in 1982
and served about six years at St. Thomas the Apostle and eight years at Most
Blessed Sacrament Church, Atlanta, before coming to St. John Vianney where he
has served about three years. He has worked in areas including parish finances,
which he said is a real challenge getting people to contribute. He has served
the marriage and baptism preparation programs, noting that he has particularly
enjoyed seeing the newly baptized youth receive new life as they grow in Christ
and reach the age of marriage. In addition, he is finance officer at the
American Legion Post in Smyrna.
In his second retirement, Deacon Lyday remains a faithful servant of
Christ’s church. “I might just get more involved with the parish now
that I have more time,” he said.
|
