Moving to a new site

After 45,278 page views and 161 posts, since we started here in 2010, we are moving. 

Please continue to read our ramblings, our low down on what's happening around the archdiocese, and the ever popular recipes we post here. 

The new site is part of an upgrade at the Georgia Bulletin. 
The priority for our efforts is to better serve you. You'll notice a new look and contemporary design of the newspaper. 

Since nearly 8 out of 10 people get news from the Internet  and nearly 56 percent of Americans have smart phones, we've made our sites mobile friendly. Visit us from your phones and tablets. 

Bookmark our new site, which you can find here.   

And of course, become friendly with our new news site, http://georgiabulletin.org. 


-Andrew

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory calls the Supreme Court decisions "extremely disappointing"

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory issued the following statement on the decisions made by the Supreme Court:

ATLANTA - Today’s unfortunate decision by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act is extremely disappointing. The Catholic Church promotes and defends marriage by teaching about marriage’s authentic meaning as a lifelong, exclusive, and fruitful communion of one man and one woman. Today’s decision is part of a public debate of great consequence. The future of marriage and the well-being of our society hang in the balance.

For the time being, the U.S. Supreme Court left standing Georgia’s constitutional amendment protecting marriage as a union between one man and one woman, so there will be no change here.

Catholic teaching protects the dignity of every human person, all deserving love and respect, including those who experience same-sex attraction. This is a reality that calls for compassion, sensitivity, and pastoral care. But no one – especially a child - is served by marriage redefinition.

I ask for prayers as the Court’s decisions are reviewed and their implications further clarified. The Catholic Church will continue to stand for the truth of marriage and the good of children.

Catholic reaction on the Supreme Court decision on same sex marriage

Georgia Bulletin wins six CPA award

The Catholic Press Association met in Denver in mid-June for its annual convention and awards for excellence. 

The Georgia Bulletin earned six awards. It's very flattering to read the comments given by the judges. We are pleased to get the recognition but more importantly we are pleased to share the news of the Catholic community in the 69 counties of North Georgia.  

Enjoy the stories again. 

First Place 

Best sports journalism - sports news:

"War Eagles Follow In Footsteps of Marist 'Cadets' " by Andrew Nelson

Second place

Best coverage of Year of Faith, Andrew Nelson and Michael Alexander

Stories: 

• Emphasis on Mary to color upcoming year 
• Archbishop Gregory answers questions about Mary 
• Mary Cherished by Cubans as Virgin of Charity 

Third place

Best photograph, best sports photo: "Arms Control," Michael Alexander 

   Blessed Trinity High School junior Evan Strawn, right, pinned his St. Pius X opponent at the 5:46 mark of their 6:00 match. Blessed Trinity defeated Marist School and St. Pius X High School to retain the Catholic Duals Championship.
(Page 32, January 19, 2012 issue) 

Best Photograph, best portrait:  "HIV/AIDS Activist," Michael Alexaner

Joan Moore, a member of All Saints Church, Dunwoody, has been involved in HIV/AIDS outreach since the disease first came on scene in the 80s. Moore lost a cousin in Philadelphia, Pa., and a son-in-law in New Jersey to the disease in the 90s. Today she is actively involved in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church’s AIDS ministry.

(Page 20, December 6, 2012 issue)

Best Regular Column, culture, the arts and leisure: David A. King 

• ‘The Exorcist’: Setting The Record Straight
• Carroll’s ‘American Requiem’ A Profound Memorial
• Vince Lombardi: Sport and Art, Sport and Faith

Honorable mention

Best Online/Multi-media Presentation of Visuals, Michael Alexander and Thomas Schulte

"Cathedral of Christ the King: a Day in the Life" 

Award-winning recipe for slow-cooked beans

In this week's Notable, we announced the winners of the Southside Ultreya's 2nd annual Men’s Cook-Off.

Don Reich, pictured above, beat out more 20 other submissions with his slow-cooker bean recipe. He tells the story behind the dish and how he prepared it.   

My bean recipe was passed down from a family member. Over the years I have tweaked it and made it my own. Of late I have started using Grillin Beans and added different varieties of canned beans. The original recipe just used baked beans. Each time I make it I try something a bit different. When I make it for a family gathering I may leave out some items that I know one of my family members may not like (mushrooms, peppers etc) 

When I prepared the dish for the South side Ultreya gathering, I prepared the original recipe. I hope you will enjoy this simple but tasty dish. The only advise I can give to anyone wanting to prepare this dish, is that it is best to layer the ingredients in the crock pot, don't stir too often and I only partially cook it the night before and finish the cooking process the day of the event or family gathering. 

I selected this bean dish to cook because whenever I take it to pot lucks or family gatherings everyone just raves about it. I am always asked for the recipe, so, I decided to prepare what I do best. I have to say I was still very surprised to walk away with the coveted First place entree prize. Thanks to all who voted. Here is my "secret family recipe"

And the recipe:

Home Style Baked Beans

• 3- 22 oz. Cans of Bush’’s Grillin beans Steakhouse recipe 
• 1- 15 oz. Can of Bush’’s Black Beans ( Drained, do not rinse ) 
• 1- 15 oz Can of Bush's Navy or Pinto Beans (Drained do not rinse) 
• 1- 15 oz can of Bush's Kidney Beans (use half of can, drained do not rinse)
• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 1 pack of Hebrew National Beef Franks ( use only 5 )
• 5 Strips of Bacon
• 1 Large Onion ( Cut up in about 1 inch squares )
• 1 Large Green Pepper ( Cut up in about 1 inch squares ) 
• 1 cup Mushrooms ( Sliced about same size as onion & peppers )
• 1 cup Karo clear syrup
• 1 cup Ketchup
• ½ cup Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

Use large crock pot
Cook and Brown separately: Ground Beef
Hebrew Franks ( then cut into 1 inch pieces )
5 stripes of Bacon ( then cut into 1 inch pieces )

Add all beans. Mix well but do not break up beans.

Add Ground Beef, the cut up frank, & the cut up Bacon.

Add the cut up Green Peppers, the cut up Onions, & the cut up Mushrooms.

In a small sauce pan combine the Syrup, Ketchup, Sugar, Dry Mustard, & Worcestershire Sauce.

Heat should be on low.

Pour syrup mixtures over all the ingredients in crock pot.

For best results layer all items a bit at a time (layer of beans, then meat, green peppers, onions, mushrooms etc) about three layers.


* FOR BEST TASTE AND FLAVOR:

Only cook for one hour when making. Then put in refrigerator over night to let the flavor
get into the beans. Then bring out the next day and heat up.


Cook in a large Crock Pot for about 4 hours on low.

At the ordination

After the incense, after the prayers, after the blessing and the laying on of hands, comes the tradition where the new priests offer blessing to friends and family.
It's a happy occasion, giving the men the first time to be with loved ones after the ornate ceremony. 

Here reporter Andrew Nelson spoke to a friend of one of the new seven priests, Father Thomas Shuler.
Thoughts on a new priest from Georgia Bulletin on Vimeo.


 And here's Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory's homily given during the Mass.

Deacons ordained to serve, preaching God's word and comforting those forgotten

A triptych from the ordination ceremony.

Giving Glory To God Through Gardening

The first time I met Gloria and Neil Nelson was back in 2006. They were shopping for religious items at Notre Dame Bookshop, Atlanta, before closing its doors for good. Since that time I’ve seen the couple at various events around the Archdiocese of Atlanta such as the Catholic Charities Gala and the Eucharistic Congress.

Earlier this spring I heard from the Nelsons. They were telling me about their garden. Gloria described it as their sanctuary, their heaven here on earth. They even shared some photos with me, which really perked my interest. Last week I finally got by their Roswell home, and it was breathtaking to see it in person. They started the garden back in 1987, but over the last 20 years they’ve added statues of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and saints, crosses, angels, scripture readings, etc.

In one part of the Nelson garden among the flowers and shrubs are (foreground, l-r) a statue of St. Francis, an angel, and a statue of the Pieta. In the background is another statue of St. Francis, some crosses and a sign that says, "Bless This Garden."                           

Among the flower window box of geraniums is a church and an angel.

It all started after they became members of St. Peter Chanel Church. Gloria began attending morning Mass, former pastor Father Frank McNamee (now Msgr. McNamee) served as a source of inspiration and they grew stronger in their faith. Over time the garden flourished with a number of lovely, carefully placed religious articles. Some came from the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, while others came from local nurseries and stores. 

A statue of Mary (Our Lady of Grace) is displayed among the peony, zinnia, and other flowers and bushes. 

“We began gardening with our first house in Sandy Springs. We have continued to enjoy the serenity and meditative atmosphere of our tranquil gardens since then,” said Gloria.

A Celtic cross sits in the center of a bed of Shasta daisies. On the top of the wall surrounding the bed is a statue of the Nativity. The circular stones surrounding the wall are Stations of the Cross, made by the late Cistercian monk Father Bob Pearson.   

It got me to thinking how many others may be out there who see their garden as a sanctuary, a place for quiet reflection and an environment that invites God’s creatures like birds, butterflies, and yes, even rabbits.

If you have such a place at your home, feel free to email (malexander@georgiabulletin.org) me some photos of your garden. I’ll put them in a photo gallery, along with some additional photos of the Nelson garden, so others can enjoy them.

Michael Alexander, Staff Photographer

Press release from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

We're working on a local reaction to the natural disaster that struck Monday night.
Here's the news release from the archdiocese.

Archbishop Coakley on devastating tornadoes:“We will walk with the people of Oklahoma through their recovery” 

The Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, said the members of the archdiocese are appreciative of the outpouring of prayers and support they have already received from people around the world. The archbishop assures the victims of the tornadoes that he and the faithful in Oklahoma will walk with them not merely through the next few days, but through the weeks, months and years of rebuilding to come.

“Our first concern is for the victims who have lost their lives or loved ones and suffered injury or loss of property,” Archbishop Coakley said. “We are moved by the efforts of the first responders who have put their own lives on hold to help in this time of need. We owe them a debt of gratitude and assure them of our prayers. As soon as possible, I will be on site in Moore to help support and offer comfort and consolation to anyone who might need or desire it. We draw hope in such times from Jesus’ invitation to the weary or troubled to come to Him and find rest.

“Catholic Charities OKC and we as an archdiocese will work with many others to ensure a smooth and comprehensive response not only to the immediate needs of those affected by the violent storms, but also to their long-term needs as they rebuild their lives. We’re there for the long term and we’re usually the last ones to leave.

“The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has received a flood of inquiries and assurances of prayers from people across the country and around the world, including the Holy Father Pope Francis, the apostolic nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We are deeply grateful.

“We will continue to provide information as it becomes available to us and will continue to pray for all those whose lives have been touched by this catastrophe.”

Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City is currently accepting donations at the following link: https://ccokc.ejoinme.org/?tabid=406485.

###

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 21, 2013) – From May 19 through May 20, 2013, a series of devastating tornadoes ripped through central Oklahoma, culminating in a storm of EF-4 magnitude that struck Moore, Okla., May 20. These natural disasters wreaked havoc and left heartache and loss in their wake. As of 9:00 a.m. May 21, the death toll from the tornado in Moore stood at 24, revised downward from 51, and included seven children. Two people also died in Shawnee. The exact loss of human life remains unknown.

Heads Up: Another Graduating Class Leaves An Artistic Mark

A few weeks ago I was down at Our Lady of Victory School, Tyrone, for an assignment that was totally unrelated to something I would discover while I was there.

On the ceiling tiles above my head were a variety of colorful drawings – all with a religious or spiritual motif. There were images of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, crosses and a host of others. I learned it’s a tradition that began some 10 years ago for each outgoing eighth-grade class. Today there are approximately 135 drawings displayed in the school’s lobby and art room.

Our Lady of Victory principal Linda Grace said the ceiling art project started as “an opportunity for eighth-grade students to leave a personalized religious legacy to the school.” Emmanuel Mathieu, the school’s art teacher for the last five years, said the drawings “must be religious and representative of a designated annual theme.” This year’s theme was the Year of Faith.

From my observation there is a range of talent and skill; however, I randomly photographed three drawings that caught my attention. The first one was a drawing of Jesus by Ryan Lowther. Lowther will be attending high school at Our Lady of Mercy, Fayetteville. Since he enjoys art and math, his long-range goal is to become an architect.

Joachim Carreon created the second drawing of a boy praying. Carreon said he would like to draw it again at some point, because he received a number of compliments. Carreon is a member of St. Matthew Church, Tyrone, but he’s unsure what high school he’ll be attending.

The final drawing of two people supporting a heart was the work of Jordan Grier. Grier said she enjoyed doing her drawing and the symbolism behind it. Grier plans to attend high school at Woodward Academy, College Park.

To the entire Our Lady of Victory School class of 2013, I wish you the best in all your future endeavors.

Michael Alexander, Staff Photographer