St. Ann’s Parish Family in Marietta

GA Revisits Matthew 25:35

“For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink
a stranger and you welcomed me.”

For nearly four decades, the Catholic Church of St. Ann, a La Salette Parish in Marietta, Georgia, has successfully encouraged parishioners to contribute to its annual “Adopt-a-Family” Christmas holiday gift-giving program, whereby people donate toys, bicycles, food, and other presents for hundreds of needy families.

Fr. Ray Cadran, M.S., and the Safi family from Afghanistan: Zarifa (mom) and Zalmai (dad) with their three girls: Zumaye (age 2), Hajera (age 4), and Khadija (age 6), glad to feel welcomed in their adopted country.Led by their current pastor, Fr. Ray Cadran, M.S., this church has recently taken that theme to the “nth” degree, now providing support on an every-single-day basis for the sake of one bedeviled family since November 2021.

A unique adoption of an Afghan family

With both a capital “A” and down to the fine print, this unique Adoption has focused solely on the Safi family: Zalmai and Zarifa and their three young children – three girls, 6, 4, and 2 – all political refugees. The family escaped from Afghanistan and arrived in Atlanta via Turkey on November 5th, one family in the over 800 Afghan immigrants, thanks to efforts by Catholic Charities and the International Rescue Committee.

The Safi’s faced great uncertainty when their door to their native land was shut, but they came to see God open another door for them — literally — on the campus of St. Ann’s Church in Marietta, Georgia. A log cabin called Mary’s House, typically used sparingly for visiting guests, speakers, and others, was appropriately transformed into a semi-permanent home for these Afghans as a token of dignity and respect.

In our pastor, Fr. Ray Cadran’s words, “We are a La Salette Parish Family dedicated to reconciliation through worship, word, works, and sacrament. We are committed to creating a place for welcoming everyone through service, discipleship, and pastoral support.”

An opportunity to offer our hospitality and compassion

Upon learning from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), via the Archdiocese of Atlanta and Catholic Charities, that refugees were headed to Atlanta seeking consolation, compassion, and accommodations, Father Ray Cadran, M.S., was inspired by the Holy Spirit. His parish became one of five churches in the Archdiocese of Atlanta to take the initiative to invite a family such as the Safi’s into the St. Ann’s family and the only one to offer hospitality on its very campus, following the verse of Matthew 25:35 to the letter.

Jim Martin with Hajera and Khadija (standing) at Pizza Night!Father Ray and the Parish Administrator, Jim Herrel, took immediate, proactive steps to help such people living on the fringes of society. Despite not having an entire understanding of government and immigration processes, all this they did, any potential complications, unknown costs, or the time involved. Nevertheless, they instinctively knew what God asks of us all: to live out his charism of hospitality and reconciliation.

As Pope Francis once said, "Life is a journey. When we stop, things don't go right. We must always walk in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, always trying to live in an irreprehensible way."

Father Ray requested Jim Martin, a retired executive, U.S. Navy veteran, and an active parishioner, to take charge, coordinate with Catholic Charities, and marshal St. Ann’s resources. Martin commented:

“It was, has been, and will be challenging, yet fulfilling, to welcome the Safi’s since the first day we had to find the family at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It is not a one-person operation, however. We needed the entire parish community, called upon to share the message of Our Lady of La Salette’s grace, to support those in need and with whom to share the love of Christ.”

Keeping “prayer, penance and zeal” in mind

He noted that the three pillars of La Salette spirituality are “prayer, penance and zeal,” making God the center of one’s life, constantly renewing one’s relationship with him, others, and all creation, assiduously living one’s faith.

Martin formed an ad hoc ministry, including church office staff, who had to stretch work time commitments and willing parishioners. The core group included Fr. Ray, Jim Harrel, Shannon Zdancewicz (St. Ann’s Facility Manager), and Christine Hood (Director of Parish Engagement).

Not only did they carry out the practical steps of meeting day-to-day needs, but with so much help from the parish, they netted a used van for the family and a commercial sewing machine for the father. A recent parish-wide collection will allow the parish to assist the Safis in completing their transition to independence.

Trusting in God’s help when challenges arise

The Safi family, outside Mary’s House on the campus of St. Ann’s.So many unexpected issues arose, and the parish committee continued to learn what they were getting into and what to do to resolve them. For Zalmai to get a driver’s license, Martin with Bob Hodges and Steve Vining, and additional church members spent hours teaching him to drive in the expansive church parking lot.

Even though the parishioners of St. Ann’s have proactively proven that they are Good Samaritans, whenever they have run into a brick wall on this generous effort, the Hand of God has been ever-present, as he has visibly given recognition to their efforts with a few nearly miraculous acts.

So, while the laity and clergy each have roles as the hand and feet of Jesus, “The Hand of God” means believing that God's gracious care will protect us, hold us, and preserve us through all things, even during troubling times. God knows St. Ann’s parish is doing the right thing by working to help the Safi family, and whenever our ad hoc ministry has hit the wall, the Lord opened new windows with intercessions and offered help.

Service providers stepped in to help

Nancy Wohlfrom, St. Ann's Preschool Director, with Hajera and Khadija Safi other childrenFor example, when Martin and Mr. Safi went to the bank to open an account, who would have believed that an employee there spoke Farsi, Zalmai’s native tongue, thus making the transaction go ever more smoothly. On a second instance at a salon, another person there was able to help translate for them. Parishioner Jo Mirabel, a hairdresser, volunteers to cut the family’s hair, calling it her “ministry.”

Dental procedures for two of the children were covered by Medicaid, and the oral surgeon treated the little girls like princesses. As for educating the little children, what better place for them to be to be able to attend St. Ann’s pre-school, gratis? The Preschool Director, Nancy Wohlfrom, and her fabulous teaching crew ensured that the girls felt welcome and appreciated, with Nancy also helping teach ESL (English as a second language).

When Martin brought the family to the supermarket, communication regarding specific food requirements concerning health, ingredients, and their religion provided some challenges but were quickly overcome. The Catholic Charities team was critically important as the family obtained Social Security cards, Georgia identification papers, Medicaid confirmation, and various governmental assistance programs.

Fr. Ray Cadran and two Safi girls at a St. Ann’s Parish DinnerA nearby neighbor to the church, who had emigrated from Afghanistan years beforehand, came forward upon hearing of their arrival, befriended the Safis, and eventually helped find a job for which Zalmai qualified as an upholsterer.

Moving on to a more permanent home but keeping in touch

Within the next few weeks, the Safi family will relocate once again into a rented apartment now that Zalmai has begun his new job. Still, volunteers are needed to help with commuter driving for him from home in Decatur to his workplace in Tucker. Though he was able to qualify for his driver’s license, he still needs guidance concerning learning the ways of American roads and familiarizing his way around Metro Atlanta.

“Grand!” Father Ray stated, “We are enriched by their visit. Even though they are moving and have the good fortune to resettle in their apartment, just as our blood relatives may relocate to another city or town, the Safi’s always will be part of the St. Ann’s family.”