By Rita McInerney, Special To The Bulletin

ATLANTA—Most Blessed Sacrament Church marked 40 years as a parish on Pentecost Sunday at a liturgy vibrant with faith and welcome.

The pastor, Father Bruce Wilkinson, celebrated Mass with Father Edward Branch, chaplain at the Atlanta University Center, as concelebrant and homilist. Several former parishioners came back to the parish in the city’s southwest section for the June 11 occasion.

It was, said Father Branch, a day to celebrate “Jesus’ gift of common voice to the church ... a gift of the Spirit that enables us to hear God’s truth and share it with all.”

“At the first Pentecost a little group operating from the fringe carried a message to the world forever ... to unify us all ... A group on the fringe finds itself the center of divine action.”

Father Branch asked what that means for this community of 40 years’ standing. Look back to 1960, he suggested. “Kennedy was in office. Segregation was no longer law but still practiced. No faxes. No Internet. Interracial meant black and white. Catholics were two percent of the North Georgia population. Our common (church) language was Latin.”

There were no black people in Ben Hill, he continued. “Blessed Sacrament looked forward to being a sprawling suburban parish in the Northern model—white and wonderful.”

In the year 2000, in the age of communication and globalization, there is urban sprawl. “Now, interracial means multiracial, multicultural, multiethnic, global. Atlanta is a world class city. Catholics total 15 percent of the people in northern Georgia. Black people are all over Ben Hill and all over. Blessed Sacrament is small and urban in the Southern model, a parish on the fringe.”

Father Branch then questioned the congregation about the significance of this “fringe community” in this communication age.

“No one is watching Blessed Sacrament. Few know where it is. Could it be that just as no one was watching the disciples until Pentecost, that after this Pentecost, at 40, the Spirit is moving here on the fringe? In the age of communication, small is beautiful and relationship is everything. Are tongues of flame falling on you? What gift, what blessing are you to bring to the church this second 40 years?’’

He spoke of the recent history at Blessed Sacrament Church, relocated in 1989 onto the property of the former Village of St. Joseph, and renovated last summer.

“Here on the fringe you have built a gathering space and your census has changed, including a group who knows nothing of those years in the ‘old church.’ A gathering space (in which) to relate before you worship, to plan before you work.”

The archdiocese now plans to have a residence for seminarians, Nazareth House, and diaconate training adjacent to Blessed Sacrament Church.

“Here on the fringe the archdiocese is making this (place) the center of deacon training and lay formation. This is the life of the future church.”

“Here in this space you are Parthians and Medes, Jews and Elemites, all hearing the language of the Gospel each in your own cultural tongues. It is now for you each to proclaim to each other in your own tongue. Cultures are to be encouraged, not erased. You can’t evangelize without them.”

“The priest is no longer the center of the action but the facilitator of the action. The parish is no longer to be the hiding place but the staging area for action in the world. Here is where the language of global communication is to be learned and taught. Here is where diversity and empowerment of peoples of every race and tongue is to be advanced.”

“Learn among yourselves,” he urged the people, “communication ... how to empower others, the real dynamics of diversity. Then teach the rest of us.”

“I can hear the wind blowing and the flames are settling on each of your heads. The Holy Spirit is breathing on you. It is time to stop hiding and step out to tell the whole church of Atlanta what you have seen and heard among you. There is a new church, a new world and a new dream and you have been given the gifts. Happy 40th birthday.”

Numerous people of faith and constancy were involved in the joyous Sunday worship. The parish choir, directed and accompanied by Walter Boone, offered “There Is a Balm in Gilead” and other hymns and responses with skill and devotion. Jay McClendon interpreted a liturgical dance.

Parish youth carrying symbols of the Eucharist led the procession as the Mass started. Heather Beckett carried the Sacramentary; Lee Bryant, the wheat; Vanessa Bryant, grapes on the vine; Lance Escher, the bread; Celina Lawrence, the chalice; and Charlita Lawrence, the hosts.

Another procession, before the consecration, was led by Robert and Essie Schorr, parishioners for 40 years, bearing the earliest parish directory and James and Joan Lemon, holding the present directory. Sewuese Mngerem carried a priest’s stole to represent the future and Coleman Eaton brought the Bible to signify ministries and organizations. In the procession three youths, Kristi Williams, Valerie Kennedy and Dooshima Mngerem, carried the water, wine and hosts, and Gerond Lawrence the offertory basket. At the end of Mass six youths bound for a church youth conference in New Orleans were blessed on their way and Lorraine Mencer, sacristan, read a formal resolution honoring the parish and its ministries from Sen. Donzella James. A seven-year parishioner, James represents Georgia District 35.

It was a morning for parishioners to greet returnees with open arms and warm words. Ruth and Terry Kilman were affectionately greeted by old friends back for the anniversary liturgy. Terry, an Army retiree, and Ruth, who served in the Waves during World War II, have been members for 38 years. Raised in New England, Ruth, who remembers when Mass was celebrated in the Westgate movie theater, admits she can’t get used to applause during Mass.

Bob Sullivan, also New England-raised, likes the role lay persons can take in the church today. He is also proud of the “treasure” stewardship, pointing out the Sunday offering report in the parish bulletin. He and his wife, Betty, have been members for 38 years.

One former member, Kathleen Dantoni, now of Senoia, misses the “dynamic liturgies” at Blessed Sacrament. Her children, Kate and Mike, were taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who staffed the parish school from 1965 until 1976. Sister Kathleen Mary was her daughter’s favorite teacher, Dantoni recalled.

A chicken barbecue buffet drew lines of the hungry after the two-hour Eucharist. Parish families took home copies of the anniversary book containing highlights of the 40 years.