ATLANTA—Father Fernando Molina Restrepo, a priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta for more than 25 years, died Jan. 9. He was 63 years old.

ATLANTA–On Thursday, Jan. 9, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., provided guidance to pastors regarding offering of Masses this weekend due to the forecasted winter weather.

ATLANTA—Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., shares his letter to Cardinal Wilton Gregory, written upon learning of the cardinal’s retirement Jan. 6.

ATLANTA—Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., has written to His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios on his retirement.

(OSV News)–Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego has been appointed the next archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, following Pope Francis’ acceptance of the resignation of Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, the first African American cardinal, the Vatican announced Jan. 6.

ATLANTA—On Dec. 11 and 12, the Cathedral of Christ the King was filled with prayers, music and vibrant celebration as parishioners gathered to honor the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)–Marking the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and the start of the new year, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for a “firm commitment” to respect all human life worldwide.

ATLANTA–Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., released the following statement on the death of President Jimmy Carter Dec. 29:

AUSTELL—Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and the Catholics 4 Habitat coalition celebrated the dedication of a new home for a local father and daughter.

My Dear Friends in the Jewish Faith in the Atlanta area: Peace and All Good!

HAPEVILLE—For Sagrario Alvarez, the nine days of prayers at a Posada celebration remind her of walking arm in arm in the cold night with her late father.

Peace and All Good! As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I extend my prayerful good wishes to you and your loved ones.

ATLANTA—The Archdiocese of Atlanta will not host the 2025 Eucharistic Congress due to budget constraints.

ATLANTA—The annual #iGiveCatholic campaign, held on GivingTuesday, concluded with impressive results, raising nearly $1.1 million for Catholic schools, parishes and charities in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

AJACCIO, France (CNS)–As Pope Francis became the first pope to celebrate Mass on the French island of Corsica Dec. 15, the usual excitement of an open-air Mass with the pope was combined with the flair and pageantry of a Renaissance fair.

CONYERS—The grotto sits in a pocket carved from the forest, with its ground rough and uneven from the exposed bedrock.

TOCCOA—After overcoming a series of false starts and unexpected hurdles, the community of St. Mary Church celebrated the dedication of new additions to its campus.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Becoming a cardinal is an insistent call to put Jesus at the center of one’s life, to love the poor as he did and to strengthen the bonds of unity within the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said as he created 21 new cardinals from 17 nations.

ATLANTA —Two parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta have been chosen to receive OCP Parish Grants.

ATLANTA—Advent begins Sunday, Dec. 1 and is the start of a new liturgical year. Symbolized by the color purple, the season of Advent includes the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to Christmas.