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For the young, 1978 seems like the year America was discovered. For the older, 1978 seems like yesterday until the math tells us it was 40 years ago! Jimmy Carter was President, Happy Days and the Fonz dominated television airwaves, Grease opened up in movie theaters and Illinois Bell introduced the first cellular telephone.
Yet 1978’s most significant event came with the birth of a new Catholic Parish in Marietta, Georgia on August 6, 1978: The Catholic Church of St. Ann. The parish was first called The Bishop Lake Catholic Church in September 1978, after consulting the parishioners, Archbishop Donnellan placed the new parish under the patronage of St. Ann, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pastored by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette.
Church exterior and interior; photo: Juanita AlvarezReverend Thomas J. Carroll, M.S. was appointed first Pastor, and Brother Peter Collins, M.S. was appointed Associate. Initially Masses were held at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church until construction of the physical facility was complete. The first Mass in the new church was on Christmas Eve, 1980 and St. Ann’s was dedicated by the Archbishop on January 3, 1981. From a modest beginning of 175 families, St. Ann’s now boasts over 4,500 families. Today, 83 ministries not only meet the needs of a changing parishioner demographic but also the greater Cobb County community.
From 1978 to present, under the shepherding of Fr. Tom Carroll, M.S., Fr. Bob Susan, M.S., Fr. Tom Reilly, M.S. and Fr. Ray Cadran, M.S., St. Ann’s has been able to change to meet the then-current needs of the parish with the addition of a balcony, a gymnasium, expansion of classrooms, new land purchases, narthex expansion, interior nave renovations with Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and the addition of Reilly Field and Pavilion for much needed “green” space.
(from left) Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta, greets parishioners; local area priests gather for Anniversary Mass; photo: Juanita AlvarezWhile physical changes might have been the most visible, the spiritual changes have had the most profound overall impact. Liturgies are welcoming, vibrant and participative. Music and A/V have played an integral part in creating a family atmosphere that draws parishioners beyond Sunday Mass attendance to participate in every aspect of parish/community life. Preschool education and religious education have been revamped for today’s youth and are infused with the message to serve. They have been recognized as some of the most innovative.
Embracing the call to spread the Gospel also resulted in the explosion of the number of opportunities to become involved and enabling St. Ann’s to impact souls far beyond the physical facility. Middle School, High School and Adult Mission trips together with ministries that serve the homeless, the hungry, the less fortunate, the imprisoned, and the infirmed allow the Gospel message to be spread locally, across the United States and internationally.
While easy to rest on its laurels, St. Ann’s continues to change, always looking for newer and better ways to do things. Yes, by the Grace of God and the charism of Reconciliation, St. Ann’s is changing lives. The best, however, is yet to come. Happy 40th birthday, St. Ann’s!
(from left) Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta, greets parishioners; local area priests gather for Anniversary Mass; photo: Juanita AlvarezWhile physical changes might have been the most visible, the spiritual changes have had the most profound overall impact. Liturgies are welcoming, vibrant and participative. Music and A/V have played an integral part in creating a family atmosphere that draws parishioners beyond Sunday Mass attendance to participate in every aspect of parish/community life. Preschool education and religious education have been revamped for today’s youth and are infused with the message to serve. They have been recognized as some of the most innovative. Embracing the call to spread the Gospel also resulted in the explosion of the number of opportunities to become involved and enabling St. Ann’s to impact souls far beyond the physical facility. Middle School, High School and Adult Mission trips together with ministries that serve the homeless, the hungry, the less fortunate, the imprisoned, and the infirmed allow the Gospel message to be spread locally, across the United States and internationally.
While easy to rest on its laurels, St. Ann’s continues to change, always looking for newer and better ways to do things. Yes, by the Grace of God and the charism of Reconciliation, St. Ann’s is changing lives. The best, however, is yet to come. Happy 40th birthday, St. Ann’s!