All posts by Carrie Clemens

Safe Environment

News

The Archdiocese of Atlanta and St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church are committed to the protection of our children and vulnerable individuals.  St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church complies with archdiocesan safe environment policies and procedures in accordance with the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.  Safe Environment programs are in place to assist parents and children – and those whose duties involve contact with minors – in preventing harm to young people and other vulnerable individuals.

St. Mary Magdalene implements the Safe Environment training materials offered by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children, a training program for adults and children in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade.

You can read Archbishop Gregory’s letter about adopting the VIRTUS program here.

Please check out the Archdiocese of Atlanta pages about the VIRTUS program:

https://archatl.com/ministries-services/safe-environment/policies-and-procedures/

https://archatl.com/offices/child-and-youth-protection/

The Archdiocese of Atlanta and St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church require that all adult volunteers working with children, youth, and/or vulnerable individuals must complete the Safe Environment training (VIRTUS) and undergo a background screening before they start volunteering.

In addition, volunteers must be familiar with the Reporting Child Abuse Guidelines.  To view these guidelines, Click Here.

Parish Directory by Lifetouch

Uncategorized

This year we will be updating our parish directory and sign-ups are now open.  Please visit select the link below to select a day and time the is most convenient for you and your family.  For participating each individual or family will receive a complimentary 8×10 photograph and a copy of the directory. The photography dates are July 11-14, August 1-3, and August 8-11. More information is available at https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/yd24y14x/

Scam Alert!

News

Churches across the United States are being hit with an unprecedented number of email scams.  Several of our parishioners have reported that they have received requests from our clergy asking for money or gift cards for various reasons.  These scammers are exploiting the generosity and good will of people of faith.
We hope that you will recognize that these emails are phishing scams and delete them. In most cases, if you pay close attention to the e-mail address of the sender you may discover a slight misspelling.
Any requests by clergy for donations or financial gifts will be in the bulletin or by direct mail.  You should never transmit personal financial information (validation codes, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, etc) via email.  St. Mary Magdalene  receives donations: 1) in the offertory basket, 2) online giving which can be reached from the parish website, or 3) in the parish office, in person or by USPS mail.  NEVER VIA EMAIL.
If you ever have suspicions or questions, please contact the parish office at 770-309-4584..

Fr. Terry Answers a Parishioner Question

Homily, News

We received this question from a parishioner: Why don’t we add additional names to each Mass rather than one person per Mass? It would bring in additional revenue while parishioners get the date they want.

Canon Law (the law of the entire Catholic Church) states:

Canon 947: Any appearance of trafficking or trading is to be excluded entirely from the offering for Masses.

Canon 948: Separate Masses are to be applied for the intentions of those for whom a single offering, although small, has been given and accepted.

These two items in the law mean that only one person (or family) may request an intention for each Mass (c. 948), and using Masses as a “fundraiser” is explicitly forbidden (c. 947). We realize that the delay between requesting a Mass and the Mass offered is often quite long, but the priority of the Church is that Mass be a spiritual endeavor, not a financial one. Certainly each of us can pray for whomever we wish at every Mass we attend, but the priest celebrant can only offer one intention for which he receives a donation.

Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament

Uncategorized

The Knights of Columbus invites you to participate in their 11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Summer Grove Golf Club on Friday October 13, 2017. Proceeds benefit local charities including St Vincent DePaul, Meals on Wheels, Abby’s Angels and many more. Registration begins at 10:00 am with a shotgun start at 12:00 pm. The entry fee is $85 per player and includes Green Fees, Cart, Driving Range and American Buffet dinner after the tournament. Each participant also receives a $100 gift certificate to Travis Matthew Golf Apparel. In addition there will be a raffle with many great prizes. To participate in the golf tournament as a player and/or a sponsor, please pick up a tournament brochure available in the Narthex, or call Bob Schnelle at 678.895.3803 or Pete Darcy at 404.597.7065.

OFFICE CLOSINGS / CLASSES CANCELLED

Uncategorized

Due to impending inclement weather, Parish Offices will be CLOSED Monday and Tuesday, September 11 and 12.  There will be NO Preschool Classes and NO Faith Formation Classes.  Mass will be celebrated on Monday, 9/11 at 9 am, but there will be NO Communion Service on Tuesday, 9/12.  Offices will reopen on Wednesday, 9/13 at 9:30 am.

Small Faith Communities

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Please pray for the success of our new Small Faith Communities.  Sign ups begin the week of September 16/17.

Prayer for Small Faith Communities.  

Dear Father, 
We pray for guidance and wisdom.  Help us gather together to learn, to grow and to change.
We pray that we move into a deeper understanding of your truth.
We lay our lives down before you and ask that you would move within us
May we all feel safe with each other.
Safe to think and question.
Safe to ask for help, and safe to share our lives with each other,  as we become a community of faith,  growing   in understanding of you, our loving heavenly Father. 

Amen