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