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Dear friends in the Lord,
The World Cup matches at Atlanta Stadium end this Wednesday, and the final is next Sunday in New Jersey. It’s been exciting to meet fans from all over the world at our Masses the last several weeks. What a wonderful illustration of the universality of our Catholic faith!
As you know, the Basilica has been offering guided tours of our historic church, especially for our World Cup visitors. I’m very grateful to Peggy Ballou and Fran Carroll, who first envisioned these tours and coordinated them, to our nearly 20 volunteer docents who led them, and to Ralph Bailey who trained the docents. If you have not had an opportunity to experience a Basilica tour, 3 remain this week.
I didn’t grow up with soccer. When I was in high school in the early 1970s, only the coolest kids in Athens knew anything about the sport. (American football, on the other hand, was like a religion in the South back then!) It’s been the priests I’ve worked with over the years—from Mexico, Colombia, Ireland, Congo, Spain, Venezuela, Haiti and England—who introduced me to soccer and shared with me a bit of their passion for the sport.
When MLS came to Atlanta in 2017, and especially when Atlanta United won the MLS Cup in 2018, my enthusiasm began to grow. Since kids were quick to embrace the sport, we would often take the parish’s altar servers to an Atlanta United match as an annual thank-you. But, as the pastor, I’d usually have to stay back to hear confessions and celebrate the masses while the young parochial vicar went to Mercedez-Benz with the kids! It’s still on my bucket list to get to a 5 Stripes match.
I thank everyone who has helped us create a welcoming atmosphere for our visitors from around the world this last month. Let’s keep those “hospitality muscles” limber! Welcoming the stranger has a pretty important place in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Your brother in Christ’s word and work,
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Father Tri Nguyen
Archbishop Hartmayer has appointed Father Tri John-Bosco Nguyen as pastor and rector of the Basilica, and he will arrive on July 20. Monsignor Jowdy will return to retirement on the same date.
Be sure to join us for a special Ice Cream Truck Social after all Masses on the weekend of July 25-26 to welcome Father Tri. Please keep Father Nguyen in your prayers as he prepares to begin his ministry among us.
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Join a Liturgical Ministry!
Join us this weekend (July 11-12) after all Masses to learn about the liturgical ministries of sacristan, lector, usher, altar server, extraordinary minister of holy communion, cantor and choir member. Interested? Please see Deacon Marino after Mass or contact him at mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org.
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Young Adult Gathering
All young adults are welcome to join us this Sunday, July 12 after the 5:00 p.m. Mass for a Happy Hour at Max Lagers (across the street from the Basilica). Meet us there at 6:00 p.m. or join us in the vestibule following Mass and we will walk over together. New to the parish? Join our GroupMe: Cor Unum "One Heart".
| | Taizé Documentary at the Tara Theater | | |
Taizé: A Pilgrimage of Trust is a feature-length documentary that explores how a small ecumenical monastic community in Burgundy, France, has become a global beacon of peace, unity, and spiritual renewal.
A special public screening will take place this evening, Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 pm at the Tara Theater on Cheshire Bridge Road in Atlanta. The 1-hour film is appropriate for all ages; a Q&A with the filmmaker will follow. Purchase your tickets below, through Eventbrite.
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Venezuela Earthquake Relief (CRS)
Help families affected today with a gift to provide immediate relief.
CRS is working through Caritas Venezuela and the local Church to quickly deliver emergency shelter, food, safe water, medical care and other critical relief to those affected by the recent earthquakes.
Your gift today will help get urgently needed supplies to families and communities in the difficult days ahead.
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Have you ever wondered what the Catholic Church teaches or considered becoming Catholic? The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a welcoming opportunity to explore the Catholic faith, ask questions, and learn more about the teachings and traditions of the Church.
Whether you are simply curious, considering becoming Catholic, or seeking to complete your sacraments, OCIA provides a supportive and informative journey of faith. Participants who choose to continue the process will be prepared to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil on March 27, 2027.
Informational Gatherings
Sundays after the 10:00 a.m. Mass
July 12 and July 26
Location: Double Classroom (lower level)
For those unable to attend in person, Zoom sessions will also be offered two Thursday evenings each month. Email Robert Rivers for a link to the Zoom sessions.
We look forward to meeting you and accompanying you on your faith journey! Learn more: sacredheartatlanta.org/OCIA.
| | Discover the rich history of our Basilica | | |
Tours of the church are offered throughout the World Cup. Open to parishioners and visitors alike, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover the rich history, inspiring architecture, and timeless beauty of our Basilica. We invite you to drop in and learn more during the days and times listed below.
Weekday tours:
(Following the 12:10 weekday Masses, from 1–3 pm)
Monday, July 13; Wednesday, July 15.
Weekend Tours:
Saturday, July 11: 1–3 pm
Sunday, July 12 2–4 pm
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Inspired to get involved with the Knights of Columbus? We are recruiting men to join us in the many good works we perform for the parish and the community at large. Our Council allows like-minded Catholic men to live out their faith through fellowship and action. For more information, contact Russ Ford at rlfordga@gmail.com or 706-819-8391.
To join as an online member, click on the link below:
Join Us | Knights of Columbus (kofc.org) When completing the online application form, enter the promo code BLESSEDMCGIVNEY to join for free, enter Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as your parish, Council 15848, as the council connected with the church.
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Let us pray...
For our faithful departed, especially: Martina Castañeda. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
For the sick of our parish, especially: Bernice Caruso, Deacon Pablo Cepeda, Henry Erbeck, Bobbie Overton, Ivan Pavlovich, Fred Pond, Beverly Shlapak, Mike Wazlavek, and Gift of Grace House residents.
For our men and women in uniform, especially: Christofer Arguedas, Madison Bips, Paul Brieske, Brock Campbell, Rafael Duralde, Grier Jobson, and Devin Thomas.
Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for July: For human life. Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
To add or remove names from our prayer lists, please contact Kelly Schreckenberger: kschreckenberger@sacredheartatlanta.org.
Visits to the Sick & Homebound
If you (or a family member) is sick, homebound, or in the hospital and would like to receive Holy Communion or the Anointing of the Sick, please contact the parish office directly at 404-522-6800 or email Kelly Schreckenberger at kschreckenberger@sacredheartatlanta.org.
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Mass Intentions
Visit: sacredheartatlanta.org/mass-intentions/ to view current and available intentions.
A mass intention is a specific request for a Mass to be celebrated for a particular person or purpose.
Common reasons for a mass intention include:
For the deceased: To pray for the repose of the soul of a loved one who has died, believing that these prayers can help them on their journey to heaven.
For the living: To pray for the healing of a sick person, to offer thanks, or for other personal needs and concerns.
For special occasions: To commemorate an event like a wedding anniversary, birthday, or other significant life moment.
If you would like to schedule a Mass Intention, click on Request Mass Intention to view available dates and schedule your Mass Intention online.
Altar Flowers
Flowers may be ordered in memory or in honor of a loved one. The arrangement will be displayed at the altar from the Saturday Vigil Mass through the 5:00 pm Mass on Sunday. If no other events require special flower arrangements, the flowers will remain during the week. The intention for the flowers will be listed in the bulletin. Two arrangements are available each week at the cost of $100.00 each. (You may purchase one or both arrangements). Names will be listed in the bulletin.
To view available dates for Mass Intentions, Altar Flowers, and Candle Intentions, visit: https://sacredheartatlanta.org/mass-intentions/.
Exposition of the Eucharist
Weekly Exposition of the Eucharist is offered on Tuesdays following the 12:10 p.m. Mass from 12:45- 3:00 p.m. in the Marist Chapel.
| | Our Stewardship of Treasure | | |
Offertory - FY25-26
July 1, 2025-May 31, 2026
Offertory (In-Pew): $453,813.59
Offertory (Electronic): $546,386.30
Total Offertory: $1,000,199.89
Offertory Budget: $966,000.00
Difference: 34,199.58
Offertory July 1, 2024-May 31, 2025: $921,462.12
Difference FY2025 to FY2026: $78,737.77
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We look forward to seeing you!
Saturday Vigil: 4pm
Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12:30pm (Spanish), 5:00pm
M-T-W-F: 12:10pm Daily Mass
TH: 12:10pm Communion Service
Confessions: Friday 11:00 am and Saturday 3:00 pm.
Exposition of the Eucharist: Tuesday 12:45 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (To access, please ring the office doorbell)
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm
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