Papal Honors Conferred On Four Georgians

By MARY ANNE CASTRANIO & GRETCHEN KEISER, Staff Writers

Published: October 2, 2003

ATLANTA—The excitement of the night was not subdued by the rain falling outside, as families, friends and well-wishers gathered to honor Olga Goizueta, Fred and Virginia Hedges and Alex W. Smith at an evening prayer and investiture service on Sept. 22.

In a ceremony at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Archbishop John F. Donoghue conferred papal honors on them, recognizing their decades of service to the Catholic community in North Georgia.

Mrs. Goizueta and Mrs. Hedges were named Dame Commanders of St. Gregory the Great, and Mr. Smith and Mr. Hedges were named Knight Commanders of St. Gregory the Great. These honors, Archbishop Donoghue said, were awarded to “single out” the “nature and quality of their service, the number of years devoted to service and the personal witness in the lives of these individuals.”

The evening began majestically in the beautifully lit Cathedral, as a stately organ processional rang out, filling the church with sound. The procession included priests of the archdiocese, vicars general Msgr. R. Donald Kiernan and Msgr. Paul Reynolds, Archbishop Donoghue, and the four honorees, as well as principals of many archdiocesan Catholic schools, carrying the brightly colored banners of their schools, which were displayed around the church.

The Cathedral Choir of Christ the King sang vespers, their voices perfectly blended and floating down from the choir loft above.

After a reading from Colossians by Cristina Goizueta, granddaughter of Mrs. Goizueta, the archbishop gave a homily that emphasized the generous use of God’s gifts.

He quoted from a letter of St. Paul to Timothy, “Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future … to win the life that is true life.”

Archbishop Donoghue explained that the apostle, following the example of Jesus, considered the “money and power of the leading members of the Church something … to be used” for charitable purposes and something that is God-given.

“What we are given by God, we are given for our ‘enjoyment,’” he said, but “this joy flows only from the giving of what we have.”

In addition, he said, while “we do live for the sake of others . . . our primary love is for God.”

While the four honorees were being gratefully recognized with gratitude for their lives of devotion and service, he added, “Their gifts go far beyond the redistribution of personal wealth. Their gifts have included leadership, inspiration, and the heroic exercise of personal strength in defense of our Holy Mother Church.”

Membership in the knightly Order of St. Gregory is given by the pope, the archbishop continued, and these papal honors recall that “in the age of chivalry, an age which still lives in the hearts of those who are chivalrous, leadership and power were entrusted by God to certain people, not to rule, but to serve. ”

Pope St. Gregory the Great was noted for his boundless charity, Archbishop Donoghue added. “In his book of advice to bishops on how to govern the Church, St. Gregory wrote: ‘When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice,” he concluded.

Archbishop Donoghue then conferred papal honors on each of the recipients, beginning with Mrs. Goizueta, the widow of Coca-Cola chairman and chief executive officer Roberto Goizueta and the head of the Goizueta Foundation, which has been generously supportive of Catholic education. She has also supported the annual Eucharistic Congresses, the archbishop said.

She was escorted by her pastor, Msgr. Edward Dillon, of Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta.

The archbishop pointed out that more than 200 Catholic school students, faculty members and principals were in the audience to honor Mrs. Goizueta, whose foundation has invested millions of dollars in the Catholic school system. “They wanted to be here tonight to show you through their presence how much your generosity touches each of them.”

The archbishop said Mrs. Goizueta has assisted him “in building our Catholic school system into one of the best in the country.”

“She has been a true partner in this endeavor and has stood by me and the schools of the archdiocese both during the difficult days of school closings and the joyous times of renovation and renewal.”

Archbishop Donoghue brought chuckles when he remarked that Mrs. Goizueta is “never shy in telling me what she thinks about the best way to approach something.”

Continuing in his praise of her contributions to the archdiocese, the archbishop said, “What people do not know about Olga is how important her faith is and how she lives it day in and day out. Olga quietly goes about living the Gospel message in all that she does.”

He thanked Mrs. Goizueta, known for her humble shunning of the spotlight, for allowing the church to honor her in this way. “Your presence is in itself a special honor.”

Archbishop Donoghue also called for a prayerful pause in which to remember her late husband and late son Carlos, after which he presented Mrs. Goizueta with her honor and a bouquet of red roses.

The archbishop then called to the altar Fred and Virginia Hedges, who came up accompanied by their pastor, Father Jaime Barona of St. Matthew’s Church in Winder.

Noting that he saw friends of the Hedges present from Winder and their former parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Atlanta, and from the Cursillo community, the archbishop welcomed the couple by describing the Cursillo movement, one of their many endeavors.

Archbishop Donoghue noted that “the purpose of the weekend is to renew men and women in their vocations as laity within the Catholic Church, while reminding them of their baptismal call to change the world for Christ.”

“The Cursillo weekend is just the beginning of a model for Christian living,” he said, adding that leaders want to guide those attending to see that “ it is possible to live out everything that has been presented during the weekend in their daily lives.”

“Cursillistas are encouraged to take what they have learned of apostolic action, piety and study and implement them on their ‘fourth day,’ i.e., the rest of their lives.”

Fred and Virginia Hedges have been living examples of this “fourth day” since their own first Cursillo weekend, said the archbishop.

He praised the couple for their commitment to the movement and for continuing to bring as many people as possible into “living a ‘fourth day,’” and he named them Knight Commander and Dame Commander of the Order of St. Gregory, also presenting Mrs. Hedges with roses.

The final recipient of the honor was Alex W. Smith, a parishioner of the Cathedral of Christ the King, who was accompanied by his pastor, Msgr. Thomas Kenny.

The archbishop said, “In the past, when the Archdiocese of Atlanta needed an attorney, my predecessors had a direct line to Alex Smith, the general counsel … Indeed, there was no better man to have on your side than Alex Smith.”

He “advised us not simply as a lawyer but also as a devout Catholic whose love for the law was combined with a love for his church.”

Like the other honorees, Alex Smith received news of his honor with humility, writing the archbishop to protest, “I recall no overwhelming service that justifies it.”

Archbishop Donoghue noted, “I believe Alex himself does not recognize all that he has shared and continues to share with the Archdiocese of Atlanta.”

In addition to his responsibilities with the law firm, Smith, Gambrell and Russell, where he represented the archdiocese personally for many years, Mr. Smith served as general chairperson for the Christ the King Campaign for capital funds, “which raised more than $15 million for additions to the Cathedral and the school.”

The archbishop also thanked all of the attorneys from Smith’s firm who continue to serve the archdiocese, as well as wishing a special blessing on Smith’s wife, Betty, his seven children and dozens of grandchildren, who had gathered to honor their patriarch.

The prayer service continued with a responsorial prayer led by Fred and Virginia Hedges’ oldest son, Don.

Kendrick E. Smith, son of Alex and Betty Smith, led the intercessory prayers. The archbishop closed with a blessing for all in attendance and a special blessing for those honored.

A reception followed the service, and the excited hubbub of hundreds of people greeted Mrs. Goizueta, Mr. and Mrs. Hedges and Mr. Smith as they entered the hall.

About 23 members of the Hedges’ large and loving family attended the service and reception, including sons, daughters, spouses and grandchildren.

Laura Hipp, one of the Hedges’ daughters, said that her parents are “perfect.”

“They are the best parents anyone could have. They never neglect the family.”

Daughter Cathy added, “We’re just very proud. It’s nice to see them recognized.”

The Hedges’ eight grandchildren who attended were also quite excited about their grandparents’ honor. The group declared that they are the “best grandparents and great to spend time with.”

Grandson Joshua Draa showed a keen understanding of his grandfather when he pointed out that Fred Hedges is “very transparent … his moral character and ethics shine through.”

Becky Hedges, wife of son Bill, shared that she is a convert because of all these people.

“These two people have influenced family, friends and community sevenfold,” she said. “They are good people. It’s because of them that the family is so close-knit. Their lifetime goal is that their family stays close.”

She added that their family and their spirituality are the most important things to Mr. and Mrs. Hedges.

In spite of all their outside work with the church, the Hedges never stint on family time. “They are always there to offer support with everyone.”

Daughter Laura added jokingly that her father had even chosen a husband for her—at a Cursillo weekend.

The Hedges’ pastor, Father Barona, said, “As a pastor, I’m so blessed to know them. They are generous, joyful, and the heart of my parish. I’m so glad they’re being recognized. The whole community is so glad.”

Maryann Leveque, a parishioner at St. Matthew’s, said they open their hearts and home to everyone. Hosting the parish picnic for 600 families at their farmhouse is one example, she said, as is their hosting of a monthly potluck supper for the parish at the Carmel Retreat Center in Hoschton, which they run. Those who come always receive “the gentle nudge of Fred and Virginia” to consider making a Cursillo weekend to know Jesus better, she said with a smile.

“They are an inspiration,” Leveque said. “The example they set in their personal lives and how they share their faith with others is just inspirational.”

Longtime IHM parishioners Berniece Trotochaud and Gloria Bezaire added, “Their faith is something that they live every day in all respects. They are such hard workers.”

Mrs. Goizueta was surrounded by schoolchildren from various Catholic schools eager to give her gifts, as well as by representatives from the Goizueta Foundation and her family.

Her granddaughter, a senior at Marist School, Atlanta, said her grandmother is her personal inspiration.

“She is a very good influence on me,” said Cristina Goizueta. “She’s taught me so many valuable lessons. She never forgets what’s really important in life.”

She added, “I think it is wonderful that she is being recognized for all the good she has done for education. She is not one to bring attention to herself. She was even hesitant about receiving this honor because she doesn’t enjoy all the fanfare and ceremony. She is such a humble person.”

Peggy Warner, principal of Christ the King School, Atlanta, expressed her gratitude for the gift of $500,000 given to the school by the Goizueta Foundation to expand in the areas of math, science and technology and to support faculty who are improving their credentials at the master’s level or through recertification. The award was a three-year grant, which concludes this year, she said, adding that the foundation was similarly generous to other Catholic schools.

“Mrs. Goizueta has just been so wonderful, not just at Christ the King, but all the schools,” she said. “I think we were the first. Every school has been allowed to tailor the grant to their specific needs.”

“It was a monumental milestone in the history of Christ the King School,” the principal said. “It just seems so fitting that we gather to show her our appreciation.”

Pauline Le, a school parent at St. John the Evangelist School, Hapeville, said the ceremony was “very moving.”

Her two sons, Nicholas and Joseph, have benefited from improvements made possible at the school by a grant from the Goizueta Foundation, and were among students who eagerly presented Mrs. Goizueta with a gift of a cross at the reception.

“We have a new library and a new computer lab. We have new positions on the staff to teach the children. It is a lot that we as parents couldn’t pull together. We are very grateful for it,” Pauline Le said. “We want to show her how appreciative we are.”

David and Jenny Chambers, who have three children at St. John the Evangelist School, said, “It’s a little token we can give her back for all she did for the children in the school.”

All five of his sons and one of his two daughters were present for the ceremony where Alex W. Smith was honored. His daughter Laura Brown was en route to Poland for an archaeological expedition, the family said, and could not attend.

Grandchildren and members of the extended family and of his law firm filled more pews. He is a great-grandfather of seven, with more on the way, his wife, Betty said.

Keeping her accolade personal and simple, she said, “He’s a sweetie-pie.”

“It’s an amazing honor. He is actually very shy about this,” his son, Tony, said, noting that he is part of a remarkable Atlanta Catholic family on both his paternal and maternal side. Alex Smith’s grandfather and grandfather-in-law were both honored as Knights of St. Gregory. “He has worked for the archdiocese his whole life. He is an amazing man.”

Connie Echols, marketing director at Smith, Gambrell and Russell, was one of approximately 20 people from the firm who attended the event in his honor. Echols, who has worked there for three years, was excited for him and said “ he still comes into work every day” at the 110-year-old law office where he began to work in 1949 and where he is a senior partner.

He received the St. Thomas More Award this year as a lifetime achievement award from the Georgia chapter of the Catholic lawyers guild in recognition of his more than 50 years of service to the legal and wider Atlanta community.

Over decades of service at his parish, he served as chairman of the educational committee for Christ the King School, helping it become accredited and is a former chairman of the parish school board and past president of the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society. He has also served on the board of directors of Marist School, Atlanta, his alma mater, and the board of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, Atlanta, for 40 years.

One of his grandsons, Matthew Smith, said he feels challenged and loved by his remarkable grandfather.

“He is both a very pious man and a very understanding man. He is very human and compassionate. He certainly sticks with us in our stumbles and falls,” the junior at the University of Georgia said.

Patriarch of “a huge, raucous family,” he has provided love, wisdom, security and high standards, his grandson said. Matthew Smith cherishes the opportunity he has had in recent years “to talk to him in what I think has been a time of rejuvenation of his faith.”

“He’s clearly been a practicing Catholic his whole life and raised a huge and wonderful family of Catholics. He is a grandfather to all of them.”

He is also something of a living legend, his grandson added. “There are so many of us, we have to tell stories about one another. There are Granddad and Alex myths, which are both true and inspirational.”