Local News

Assembly Brings Priests Together For Renewal

Published: September 11, 2008

Msgr. Hugh Marren, pastor of St. Andrew Church, Roswell, and Father Thomas Meehan, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Atlanta, hang out at the 2008 Provincial Assembly of Bishops and Priests. Hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the provincial assembly took place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

ATLANTA—Priests and bishops of the Atlanta province, including the dioceses of Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh and Savannah, convened at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on Aug. 25-27 for renewal and continuing formation. Some 135 priests and three bishops attended the event, which originated about 20 years ago and has served as an annual tradition of gathering for priests and bishops of the region.

Father James Schillinger, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, and director of the committee for priest formation, organized the event, which included simultaneous translation in Spanish. He said that this year’s event brought 135 priests together, “the largest group we’ve ever had.”

Father J. Ronald Knott and Father John C. Kemper, SS, were the featured speakers for the event, which included talks on cross-cultural ministry, shared spiritual leadership, and spiritual discipline.

Some 135 priests attended the provincial assembly in Atlanta Aug. 25-27. Father J. Ronald Knott, founding director of the Institute for Priests and Presbyterates at St. Meinard Archabbey, St. Meinard, Ind., led a session on “The Shared Spiritual Leadership of Priesthood”