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ATLANTA—The diaconal formation program now has a permanent
home, after years of leading a somewhat nomadic existence around the
archdiocese.
The facility — called St. Stephen’s Center — is on
the campus formerly occupied by St. Joseph’s Village in Atlanta.
In a special ceremony conducted in November, Archbishop John
Francis Donoghue blessed the facility, to the greater glory of God, for the
human, spiritual, doctrinal and pastoral formation of men called to the service
of deacons.
The new facility includes six classrooms and a former gymnasium
which serves as a common room and gathering space; plans are in place for a
diaconal library.
“Prior to moving here we used a number of different churches
and kept moving,” said Deacon Loris Sinanian, director, diaconal
formation, for the permanent diaconate. “All the parishes were very
gracious to us, and helped a lot, but every year and a half we were moving.
Msgr. (David) Talley was instrumental in helping us get St.
Stephen’s,” he added.
“This center being established for us is a real great asset.
We now have 70 plus men in formation. They have a home now that is going to be
permanent — some place they can keep coming back to.” (Fifteen men
are scheduled for ordination February 2002.)
The new home is all the more significant for its timing.
“Next year we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary for the first
deacon ordained in the Archdiocese of Atlanta,” he said. |
