We have contracted Guide Book Publishing to publish a Guide Book and Directory for our parish. It will be updated and delivered directly to your homes annually. This book will be the “Who, What, Where, Why, and How” of our Church. The book is being provided at no cost to the Parish. Local businesses are being solicited to advertise in the book. Here is your chance to update your record for the Guide Book. It is time to update our database with any changes, additions, or deletions that may have occurred in your family over the last year. Have you changed your phone number? Have you moved? Do you want your record published in the Book?

Please let us know now so that the information in the Guide Book is correct. Contact Cheryl Stewart at 770-448-2028, ext. 115.

Archbishop-emeritus John Francis Donoghue, the fifth archbishop of the Atlanta Archdiocese, died Friday, Nov. 11, at the age of 83. Archbishop Donoghue served as archbishop of Atlanta from Aug. 19, 1993, until Dec. 9, 2004, when Pope John Paul II accepted his retirement due to age.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

Archbishop Donoghue will be brought to Sacred Heart Basilica at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, and will remain at the Basilica until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, November 17. The following services will be offered during this time, and are open to all clergy and parishioners:

Wednesday – Nov 16

• 12:10 p.m. – Parish Mass
• 3:00 p.m. – Day time Prayer
• 6:00 p.m. – Vigil/Vespers
• 7:00 p.m. – Rosary
• 8:30 p.m. – Compline

Thursday – Nov 17

• 7:00 a.m. – Parish Mass
• 9:00 a.m. – Matins & Lauds

At 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, November 17, the remains of Archbishop Donoghue will be brought to the Cathedral of Christ the King for the funeral Mass scheduled for 11:00 a.m. The burial will take place at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs at 2:00 p.m. [Please note, there will not be a procession to the Cemetery; instead, you are invited to gather at Arlington Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.]

Today, October 30, in dioceses and archdioceses throughout the United States, we celebrate Priesthood Sunday. Please be sure to take a moment to tell our Priests “thank you” for all of their hard work, dedication, guidance, and love in building up the Body of Christ at St. Patrick’s.

Also, remember them in your prayers and pray for all of our Seminarians, as well as those who may be discerning God’s call to the priesthood.

Thank you Father Refugio, Father Cyril, and Father Henry!!

St. Patrick’s Youth Group is welcoming the change of season with an event that brings the best fall activities together in one celebration. There will be games and prizes for the children and concessions for everyone. The event will take place on Saturday, October 29, from 3:00pm to 9:00pm in the Social Hall and backyard. All of the proceeds will benefit the Youth Group’s spring social.

In a world torn by war, violence and injustice and in a Church dealing with scandal and declining membership the call that came to Francis of Assisi 800 years ago – ”Go and rebuild My House” is as vital and timely today in this new millennium as it was in the 13th century world of Francis. This parish mission seeks to put that call before us and invite us to respond both as individuals and as Church.

Day One: God comes to us in humble love.
Day Two: The Cross: A gift of love and forgiveness.
Day Three: The Cross: Source of meaning in our suffering.

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In honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4), we will have a Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Please bring any animal to be blessed by Father Henry to the Grotto area.

We encourage St. Patrick’s parishioners to be part of the many different activities around the Archdioceses and the Nation. Here at St. Patrick’s you are welcome to be part of the “Life Chain” any time from 12 to 6:00pm. For one hour you will stand, holding a sign in support of life; in silent prayer. Many of our Ministries are asked to spend one hour participating in the Life Chain in front of St. Patrick’s Church on Beaver Ruin Road. Call Cheryl Stewart in the parish office to confirm your group’s time or request a different hour to participate. We hope that everyone will join as a community in Christ to put an end to abortion and show respect for all Human Life!

Over the coming weeks, many of you will be enjoying vacations and weekends away. We wish you a pleasant and safe summer and would appreciate your continuous support during the summer months. We want to remind you that we normally experience a decline in the offertory by more than 30 percent during this time of year while most of our expenses continue. We ask you to continue to be generous and faithful to your stewardship of treasure during this time period. St. Patrick’s is a special parish because of families like yours and this community has always responded generously to our requests. We are confident that with prayerful thoughts and actions from our parishioners we can meet our obligations. Thank you for your support.