Atlanta Catholics gather to remember Rev. Martin Luther King's dream

Published: 2006-01-19

ATLANTA (CNS) -- In downtown Atlanta, a city often referred to as the "birthplace of civil rights," Catholics gathered Jan. 14 to celebrate the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and to pray for a continued commitment to the work that he pursued in his short life. Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory celebrated the annual King Mass, sponsored each year by the archdiocesan Office for Black Catholic Ministry. Rev. King's legacy was evident in the diversity of those gathered for the Mass. Representing many ethnic backgrounds -- black, white, Hispanic and Asian -- Catholics packed the pews at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Approximately 20 priests concelebrated the Mass with the archbishop. The Mass, which had as its theme "Striving for Peace in Spirit and in Truth," featured the soul-stirring music of the Archbishop James P. Lyke Memorial Choir and drummers from the Lyke House Catholic Student Center at Atlanta University.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .