By Bobbie Friel, GEOGRIA BULLETIN STAFF

This list presents an overview of only some of the resources, spiritual and practical, that are available through the Catholic Church in North Georgia.

Catholic Center Resources

Catholic Social Services—Counseling Services—For those burdened in heart and spirit, professional counseling services are there to help with mental health education and prevention workshops, therapy for the critical life issues of today and crisis support during times of personal trauma or community-related disasters. Counseling is provided to individuals and their families going through a crisis or coping with difficulties. Issues addressed include marriage or family struggles, depression, anxiety and stress issues, and difficulty in dealing with crucial life stages. Hispanic therapists are available also. Counseling services are available at the Catholic Center and the following parishes: Cathedral of Christ the King, Holy Spirit, St. Anthony, St. Jude all in Atlanta; Our Lady of the Americas in Doraville; St. Andrew in Roswell; St. Benedict in Duluth; St. John Vianney in Lithia Springs; St. Lawrence in Lawrenceville; St. Michael in Gainesville; St. Patrick in Norcross; Holy Family in Marietta; and St. Thomas Aquinas in Alpharetta. Call Catholic Social Services at (404) 881-6571 and ask for the counseling department.

Catholic Social Services—Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Program—The Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Program works with women who are experiencing an unanticipated pregnancy and supports them in carrying their babies to term. Prenatal care, financial support, proper nutrition, involvement of the father, a safe, supportive environment, parenting skills, a stable future, decision-making skills, goal-setting skills and access to and knowledge of community services are objectives of the counseling sessions and casework support. The program helps women make important plans and decisions that are in their own and their child’s best interest. Through a parenting plan, kinship care or a cooperative, open adoption plan, women are counseled and helped to deal with the struggles, grief and joy of their decision. Prospective adoptive families are trained and prepared for a cooperative, open adoption. Pre- and post-adoption services are provided as long as needed as well as support group activities for adoptive families. Identified adoption services are provided for a prospective adoptive family and a birth family that are committed to an adoption plan. Call Noreen Horrigan at (404) 885-7443 or (404) 885-7467.

Hispanic Apostolate—The mission of the Hispanic Apostolate is to be a missionary church that is aware of the reality around us; to identify itself with the poor and marginalized and embrace, defend and respond to the needs of the immigrant as would Christ himself. The apostolate strives to promote a genuine Christian social justice and to create a community more extensive and more united in solidarity with one another, proud of our Hispanic values, completely open to the diversity of cultures so that it can be an example of the kingdom of God. It also wants to foster the greatest possible participation of the Hispanic community in the life of the church, to walk with youth and motivate them to a greater participation and help bring about a unity within the parishes among English-speaking groups, Hispanics and other diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Call Gonzalo Saldaña at (404) 888-7839.

Natural Family Planning—Natural Family Planning is a scientifically based method of family planning. Understanding the natural body signs enables couples to know how to avoid pregnancy and when they are most likely to conceive. The Sympto-Thermal Method and the Ovulation Method are taught in different locations by certified teachers. The Ovulation Method is also available in Spanish. Class instruction takes a total of 8-10 hours. NFP can be used effectively in a variety of situations during the course of the woman’s entire reproductive life. Many couples report an increase in communication and a greater level of intimacy. Call Lynn Crutchfield at the archdiocesan Office of Family Concerns at (404) 885-7450.

Office For Black Catholic Ministry—The director of the office is Charles Prejean. Call (404) 888-7848.

Pro-Life Office—The function of the Pro-Life Office is to assist the archbishop in promoting and implementing the U.S. bishops’ annual Respect Life program and pastoral plan for pro-life activities. Programs include an educational/public information effort to inform, clarify and deepen understanding of basic issues; a pastoral effort addressed to the specific needs of women with problems related to pregnancy and to those who have had or have taken part in an abortion; a public policy effort directed toward the legislative, judicial and administrative areas so as to insure effective legal protection for the right to life. Brochures are available in English and Spanish. Call Mary Boyert, pro-life director, at (404) 888-7821.

Tribunal—The Tribunal is the ecclesiastical court of the Catholic Church, which considers marriage nullity cases, among other matters. In the Atlanta Archdiocese, the first step for persons considering an annulment is to approach the local parish priest or a pastoral assistant, who will assist in completing a preliminary questionnaire for submission to the Tribunal. To be accepted for investigation, the petitioner must indicate that there was present from the beginning of the marriage some basis on which it might have been null and show that there is some reasonable hope to prove this contention. Those with questions about the process should contact the nearest Catholic church.

Sources Of Spiritual Support

Charismatic Renewal—A movement in the church that promotes the grace which many call “baptism in the Holy Spirit.” Connected to the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, the experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit often brings a person into a conscious awareness of these sacraments. Many come to know Jesus more deeply and make him Lord in their lives. Often people experience the Holy Spirit as a constant companion and the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in sacred Scripture (1 Cor 12) and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2003). Many come to know God as a loving Father. Seeking and receiving this grace of renewal has profoundly affected the lives of millions of Catholics. In this archdiocese many parish prayer groups serve the needs of those seeking to live life in the Spirit with weekly prayer meetings and Life in the Spirit seminars. Life in the Spirit seminars are available in Spanish also. Prayer groups are open to anyone including Catholics who are considering returning to active church life.

Cursillo—A renewal movement focusing on prayer, study and action as a means of renewing Catholic faith. Cursillo means a “short course” in Christianity. Weekends are offered for men and women and are available in Spanish also. It is recommended that you attend a Cursillo only after you feel at ease in returning to the church, usually about one year. Call Sister Margaret McAnoy, IHM, at (770) 455-1500.

Healing Services—Healing Masses, offered in a number of parishes, are open to anyone seeking the prayers of the Catholic community for healing. Healing Masses are scheduled at St. Lawrence Church, 319 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville, on Monday, Sept. 11 and Monday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Call Nancy Proctor at (770) 338-1990.

Magnificat—A ministry to Catholic women that helps women open more and more to the Holy Spirit through a deeper commitment of their lives to Jesus as Lord and to impart the Holy Spirit to one another by their love, service and sharing the good news of salvation. It ministers to women in and out of the Catholic charismatic renewal whose faith in the person of Jesus Christ has allowed them to believe in the activity of God’s Spirit in their lives. It also has great appeal to women who may be struggling with faith or who have lost touch with the church. Call Olga Myers at (770) 775-3783.

Maisha House of Prayer—An urban house of prayer at 520 Parkway Drive, NE, whose purpose is sharing prayer and its fruits with those who hunger for the Gospel message: “God so loved the world...” Individuals/small groups may join scheduled times of communal prayer or make arrangements for other prayer times. The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament are available informally for conversation about God, prayer, healing and other needs. Spiritual direction is offered by appointment. One guestroom is available for overnight retreats. Groups of 25 or fewer can be accommodated for days of prayer. Call Sister Loretta McCarthy or Sister Nancy Auster at (404) 872-0096.

Women’s Bible Study, Come To Me—A ministry to get women more comfortable with the Scriptures and to have a basic understanding of the Scriptures and Catholic teaching on the Bible. Small groups meet for discussion to learn about the Scripture and develop community. Call Keri Allen at (404) 237-0564, ext. 426.

Catholic Men’s Fellowship—The vision for the CMF has been to serve as a forum for Catholic men to be spiritually renewed and for fallen away Catholics to find their way back to the church. The intent is that, through hearing personal testimonies of other men’s spiritual journeys, men will seek greater holiness and, in turn, be better husbands, fathers and employees in the workplace. Men are also encouraged to help in the service of the church without taking away from other primary responsibilities. Non-Catholics are encouraged to attend the meetings also. Call Rick Kohrumel at (404) 888-5584.

St. Joseph Covenant Keepers of Atlanta—The Atlanta chapter of St. Joseph Covenant Keepers holds quarterly breakfasts at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers where Mass, breakfast and a speaker addresses various faith topics. This is an opportunity for Catholic men to come together and enjoy fellowship and where tools are given to begin small faith sharing groups. The objective is to encourage a weekly/biweekly men’s group to encounter Christ in a faith sharing and adult educational format which enables men to bring Christ into their marriage and family or single state in life. Catholic resources are made available. Men at any level of faith would feel comfortable at the breakfasts or groups. Call Bob Elwell at (770) 784-5686 or John Spink at (770) 784-7421.

Retreat Houses—The Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Highway 212, SW, Conyers, is a Trappist monastery with a retreat house open to men and women. Call (770) 760-0959.

The Monastery of the Visitation, 2055 Ridgedale Drive, Snellville, is a cloistered monastery of Sisters of the Visitation. Women may schedule retreats. Call (770) 972-1060.

Ignatius House, 6700 Riverside Dr., NW, Atlanta, is a Jesuit retreat center with a regular schedule of two-day, three-day and longer retreats. Silent directed retreats based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and other retreats are available for men and women. Call (404) 255-0503.

Retreats can be an opportunity to step away from the noise, busyness and confusion of modern life and to re-establish a sense of quiet, of the sacred and of the presence of God. It can be part of a process of reconciliation with the church.

Atlanta’s Retreat Society—The ARS is dedicated to continuously offering and facilitating numerous retreats in the archdiocese and to helping men and women come into a deeper and fuller relationship with Jesus Christ. Sponsored by the Legionaries of Christ, ARS offers monthly evenings of reflections and silent weekend retreats for both men and women that are designed to provide a time for meditation and reflection in the midst of our busy world. Reflection evenings include Mass, dinner and meditations led by a priest and are free of charge and open to all interested in developing their faith. Weekend retreats are based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and are reflective, enriching one’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They include daily prayer time, meditation and participation in the sacraments. They are held at various retreat centers in the surrounding area. Upcoming retreats at Carmel Retreat Center in Hoschton are as follows: Men’s Spiritual Exercises, Sept. 15-17, 2000, Dec. 1-3, 2000, Feb. 2-4, 2001, March 30-April 4, 2001, June 22-24, 2001; Women’s Spiritual Exercises, Aug. 11-13, 2000, Nov. 17-19, 2000, Jan. 12-14, 2001, March 2-4, 2001 and April 27-29, 2001. For information call (770) 399-7724.

Perpetual Adoration—Four Catholic churches have chapels for perpetual adoration of the Eucharist 24 hours a day. Persons may go there to pray silently before the Blessed Sacrament and experience the healing presence of Jesus. Perpetual adoration chapels are located at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta; Corpus Christi Church, 600 Mountain View Drive, Stone Mountain; St. Catherine of Siena Church, 1618 Ben King Road, Kennesaw; and Transfiguration Church, 1815 Blackwell Road, NE, Marietta.

Latin Mass Community—The St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Latin Mass Community, Mableton, was established by Archbishop John F. Donoghue for those who desire the traditional Latin Rite in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Membership is offered to all in the archdiocese who desire to participate in the venerable Latin Rite of the Catholic Church and who wish to partake of the fullness of the church’s rich liturgical tradition. Call Father Mark Fischer, FSSP, at (770) 948-6888.

Activities, Programs, Ministries

Birthright, Inc.—Birthright maintains a crisis center where any pregnant girl or woman, wed or unwed, may find help as near as her telephone where she will be aided to mobilize her own resources and those of the community, so that she may face the future and plan constructively for herself and the child. Call (770) 451-6336. The web site is www.birthright.org.

PATH—Post Abortion Treatment and Healing—A professional and completely confidential program that offers both group and individual support to anyone suffering emotionally following an abortion. Call Mary Ann McNeil at (404) 896-6521.

Birthparent Support Group—A support group for those who have placed a child for adoption, which provides support, healing and community. Call Sheila Reynolds at (404) 888-7817 or Angela Nosworthy at (770) 889-4770.

Cancer Support Group—Several parishes have support groups for patients, families and friends learning to live with a diagnosis of cancer, including the Church of St. Ann, Marietta. Call Christine McGinnis at (770) 509-8266.

St. Joseph’s Mercy Care Services—A center for information regarding faith health ministry/parish nursing within the churches. Call Sharon Stanton, director of Congregational Health Ministries, 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, at (404) 851-5721.

The Link Counseling Center—Survivors of suicide support group provides a safe place where survivors can share experiences and support each other toward healing. In Sandy Springs call (404) 256-9797 and in Cobb County call (770) 541-1114. Other support is available through the American Association of Suicideology at (202) 237-2280 and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at (888) 333-2377.

Marriage Encounter—A weekend program which allows married couples to be alone together, rediscover each other and focus on their relationship. Call (770) 416-9917. For Hispanic Marriage Encounter call (770) 822-1553. The web site is www.mme.org/atlantame/.

Retrouvaille/Rediscovery—A program for couples experiencing marital difficulty which emphasizes forgiveness and healing. Couples who are experiencing difficulties or who are separated or divorced rediscover one another through communication techniques which lead to a deeper and more positive relationship. Call Greg or Susan McGrail at (678) 473-0750.

Separated, Widowed and Divorced—Many parishes have groups for people who are experiencing difficult transitional issues with death, divorce or separation. Among those are St. Jude Church, Atlanta, contact (770) 934-4588, ext. 527; St. Joseph Church, Marietta, contact (770) 233-8366; the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, contact Kathy Thompson at (678) 422-4122.

Young Adult Ministry—Young Adult Ministry is for people in their 20s and 30s who are single, married or single again. Services include Theology on Tap, a 10-week fall speaker and social series addressing issues of Catholic interest to young adults and held at a local bar; Holy Grounds, a coffeehaus speaker series on Wednesdays during Lent that features Mass, a simple supper, speaker and social; TGIF, a year-round collaborative effort to provide young adults an opportunity to celebrate the first Friday devotional custom, grow in their faith, meet new friends and develop a small faith community; and TEC (To Encounter Christ), held three times a year, a peer-led retreat weekend for young adults 18-35 based on the paschal mystery of Christ. Retreats and other spiritual, sports, social or service projects are also held. Call Cindee Case, archdiocesan young adult minister, at (404) 885-7290. The web page is www.yam.org.

COURAGE—A ministry for men and women who suffer temptations of homosexuality and yet want to live according to the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church and participate in the sacraments and spiritual direction of the church. Call Father Bill Hoffman at (706) 278-3107 or Father Fred Wendel at (404) 636-1418. There is a national web site at http://world.std.com/~courage and national e-mail at NYCourage@aol.com.

AIDS Ministry—For Catholics who are HIV positive, a small group meets every other Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with a professional facilitator and a priest for the purpose of emotional and spiritual support. Call Father T.J. Meehan, pastor of St. Anthony Church, Atlanta, at (404) 758-8861. The AIDS Ministry at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, actively shares information and supports bridge-building, education, service and compassion. Contact Kathy Parker at (404) 634-5595 or Sue Amsden at (404) 315-0123.

Center for Family Development—The Center for Family Development is dedicated to solidifying good families, giving them the support they need to meet the challenges of marriage and family life in the 21st century. It strives to provide effective and up-to-date tools for the development of the family in its cultural, psychological, religious, social and physical aspect. Sponsored by the Legionaries of Christ, it currently offers three programs that aid the family in fulfilling its vocation in the world: Three to Get Married, a marriage preparation weekend; Marriage Enrichment Retreats, a day designed to provide a deeper understanding of the richness of living a sacramental marriage; and Parenting Classes, educating parents on how to raise children using proven principles and doctrines that create a Catholic foundation. The CFD will bring the required staff, materials and presenters to schools and parishes located within the archdiocese. For information call (770) 409-0045.

FAMILIA (Family Life in America)—For women looking for support in their roles as wives and mothers along with an opportunity to grow in the Catholic faith, there is a program available called Mothers of Young Children. It is presented by FAMILIA, a national organization of Catholic laity dedicated to assisting parents in developing a strong family structure. MOYC units currently meet at eight parishes with an average number of 12 participants per unit. Meetings consist of a brief Gospel reflection, a study and discussion of the teachings of the church as they pertain to marriage and family and a call to act, practical ideas enabling mothers to pass on their faith to their children. Call Tina Binkley at (770) 963-3777.

Mother’s Morning Out—Most parishes have developed programs to help families with young children find support and a small community who share their needs and interests. Contact the nearest Catholic church.

People With Disabilities—A Catholic ministry of religious education, faith development and community support for people with disabilities and their families. Call Toni Miralles at (770) 394-4588, ext. 524.

Pax Christi—An organization that welcomes membership from diverse traditions and works in partnership with concerned people on a variety of issues. Its vision grows out of the faith and teaching of the Catholic Church. Members are committed to raising the consciousness of fellow Catholics through outreach and education. They speak freely to the Catholic community on such issues as nonviolence, war and women’s rights. Pax Christi calls for the church to identify and address all unjust and oppressive structures. Call Ron Chandonia at (404) 755-1595, web site: http://www.nonviolence.org/paxatlanta.

St. Thomas More Society—A fellowship of Catholics involved in the legal profession as lawyers, judges, administrators, paralegals or canon lawyers. The society promotes Catholic values and ethics in the legal system and in daily life, whether at work or at home. There are opportunities for spiritual development, exchange of ideas and fellowship through the celebration of Mass, speakers, discussion forums, meals and parties. Call Jim Sacca at (404) 584-1206.

Opus Dei—A personal prelature of the church, a lay spirituality which promotes the pursuit of sanctity through one’s ordinary, everyday work and to bring Christ into the middle of the world. Call Kalynn Pudner at (678) 376-1556 (women) or Paul Lafreniere at (770) 350-6359 (men).

Another Look—A discussion group at Transfiguration Church, Marietta, that provides an opportunity to gather people who have been away from the faith community for any reason to gather and talk about their concerns and issues. Call Rick Fehrenback at (770) 977-1442, ext. 127.

Gospel Reflections—Provides an opportunity for all Catholics to deepen their faith and love for Christ and his church. Through sharing the Gospel, prayer and discussion this program aims to stimulate a response to Christ’s invitation to go out and preach the Gospel. Each group meets once a week for eight weeks and is available at various parishes. Call Skotti Stewart at (770) 242-7569.

Walk Thru The Bible, Catholic Expression—A five and a half hour interactive program where participants learn the most important people, places and events in chronological order in the Old or New Testament. Using a combination of hand signs, rhymes and catch phrases to enhance retention, this program is designed to open the Scriptures in the mind and heart of the participant. Seminars are conducted in the Catholic perspective by an instructor with a master’s degree in religious education. Call Madeline Estafen at (770) 921-9151.

Catholic Social Services —Project Aware—An education program to increase awareness and prevention of child abuse; to provide support, consultation and referrals to specific individual case needs of those in the archdiocese; and to maintain a current library of materials. Call Katie Fortunato, LPC, at (404) 885-7459.

Faith Enrichment Institute—An organization that brings national Catholic speakers to teach different aspects of the faith. Call Deacon Loris Sinanian at (706) 781-3671.

Youth Ministry—The Youth Ministry works with middle school and high school students in resourcing programs, retreats, training and personnel. Call Matthew Robaszkiewicz at (404) 885-7491at the Office of Religious Education. Adult Faith Formation—Call Kathy Wolf (404) 885-7426 or Carol Hamill (404) 885-7835 at the Office of Religious Education.