From the Pastor

Dear friends in the Lord,
 
     The summer months are typically a time when many people move to new jobs, new homes and new schools; as a result, in July and August we normally bid farewell and extend a warm welcome to scores of parishioners moving into and out of the Atlanta area. I have the sense that the pandemic may have disrupted that normal rhythm for the last two years. But in the last month I have met many families who have moved into our neighborhood and have chosen to make IHM their church home. Welcome! We are blessed to have you in our parish family!
 
    We are experiencing some typical summer transition on our parish staff as well:
 
     This week we welcomed to the staff parishioner David Nieto, who will serve as part-time Coordinator of Hispanic Ministries. In that capacity, David will assist Father Robbie and me in coordinating the activities of the various ministries within the parish’s Hispanic community, and he will be the staff point of contact for the volunteer ministry leaders in the Hispanic community. Please give David a warm welcome when you encounter him in his new position.
 
     Also this week I was delighted to learn that Archbishop Hartmayer has appointed Deacon Bernardo Buzeta to IHM, effective September 1. Born in Santiago, Chile and ordained for the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 2015, Bernardo lives and owns a business in Tucker. He and his wife, Alma, have 3 adult sons and 5 grandchildren. Please join me in giving Deacon Bernardo a warm welcome to his new ministry when you meet him in the coming weeks.
 
     Atlanta seminarian David DesPres resided at the IHM rectory this summer as he pursued Clinical Pastoral Education—or hospital chaplaincy training—at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a degree in electrical engineering, David returns next week to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans to continue his priestly formation. Even if you didn’t have a chance to meet him during his months at IHM, I know that David would be grateful for your prayers.
 
     I wish Godspeed to everyone who will experience a transition of any kind this summer or fall. Know that Christ Jesus accompanies you in all your comings and goings.
    
Your brother in Christ’s word and work,