ATLANTA—“God is always at work to orient the person toward the discovery of a higher dimension of living—of a more useful self-giving and service to our brothers and sisters.”

SMYRNA—Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., conveys the following priest assignments, effective July 1.

ATLANTA—As restaurants started to close their doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people lost income, compromising their ability to feed themselves and their families.

ATLANTA–Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., has announced a schedule and conditions for the resumption of in-parish worship and access to church buildings in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

ATLANTA—In the weeks between his March appointment as Archbishop of Atlanta and the official installation on May 6, Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., shared warm words for the people of the Diocese of Savannah and the more than eight years of service there.

ATLANTA–The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) announced that two Atlanta Catholics are among the 27 recipients of the NCEA 2020 “Lead, Learn, Proclaim Award.”

ATLANTA–In the silence of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., was installed May 6 as leader of the 1.2 million Catholics in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, telling believers they must care for each other without limit.

JONESBORO—Faith has taken on new meaning since the COVID-19 virus hit the Paulus family.

ROME—Terri Miller and Charles Gardner showed up around 7 a.m. to be first among the shoppers at a Rome Kroger store. Cart in hand, they picked up bananas, canned tuna, wheat bread, bottled water and oatmeal as they shopped for seniors safe at home.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)–When faced with uncertainties, adversities or trials, those who place their trust in Christ will not be left alone to fend for themselves, Pope Francis said.

WASHINGTON (CNS)–Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has announced the U.S. bishops will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops May 1 in consecrating the two nations to the care of the Blessed Mother under the title “Mary, Mother of the Church.”

SMYRNA–In an April 23 letter to the faithful, the bishops of Georgia discussed the decision to suspend public liturgies through the end of May following Governor Brian Kemp’s announcement April 20 permitting some businesses to reopen.

While Governor Kemp did indicate he will allow in-person worship, we will not be able to have a plan in place for Masses this weekend.

CLEVELAND (CNS)—Testing and treatment for the novel coronavirus for all people regardless of their immigration status and assistance to church organizations with more than 500 workers are among crucial concerns.

The coronavirus pandemic has canceled birthday celebrations and postponed weddings. Those who have lost loved ones are limited on who can attend funerals. And with no definitive end in sight, stress and anxiety are common responses.

LAWRENCEVILLE—Father John Howren, pastor of St. Lawrence Church, encouraged his congregation to be involved in Holy Week celebrations, even though parishioners were unable to gather due to COVID-19, the coronavirus.

Greetings in the Octave of Easter. I hope that the celebration of the Resurrection, despite the minimalist nature of the liturgies, was an occasion to proclaim our joy and hope in the truth of Christ’s redemptive love.

ATLANTA—Health care workers in the Archdiocese of Atlanta are dispensed from the obligation on Good Friday to abstain from eating meat and from fasting.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)–With a small procession down the vast and empty central nave of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis began the first of a series of Holy Week liturgies celebrated without the presence of the faithful from the general public.

Please see decree granting healthcare workers a dispensation from fasting and abstinence for Good Friday.