Padre’s Points to Ponder

Padre’s Points to Ponder – Guest Edition – 7/17/26 In just a few weeks, Seminarian Thau and I will be ending our summer assignments here at All Saints. Because I am in what is now called the Pastoral Synthesis stage, I will be returning to All Saints in December, while Thau will continue his seminary formation, … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder with Deacon Chrystian Bis – 7/10/26 This Fourth of July, I got to experience the famous Dunwoody 4th of July Parade. I got to drive Father Michael’s decorated Jeep, trying to balance looking at the crowds and making sure I stayed on course. It was an incredible experience, seeing how many … Continued

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This weekend our nation marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We rightly give thanks for the blessings of liberty that have shaped our country’s history, remembering with gratitude those who sacrificed so that future generations might live in freedom. We are also invited … Continued

Life tells us we need to move faster and faster to keep up with our responsibilities. Before I joined the seminary, I used to work for a software company, running an online program for businesses to use. I remember when I worked in IT, issues would pop up over and over, and my coworkers and … Continued

This past Saturday, I was able to join a few brave souls from our parish for a joint procession of the Blessed Sacrament from St. Brigid Catholic Church to Mary Our Queen Catholic Church. For those unfamiliar with the practice, it was a walk on foot behind the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance. We hiked … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder – by Deacon Chrystian Bis I have only just unpacked my boxes here in Dunwoody and started my first week on assignment as a deacon at All Saints, yet I already find myself deeply immersed in the spiritual life of this parish. I’m very thankful that my first weekend here included … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder – 6/4/26 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This week, a group from our parish, together with friends from St. Peter Chanel and their priest Fr. Evan, sets out on a pilgrimage to Italy. We go not as tourists, but as pilgrims: men and women seeking an encounter with the Lord, … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder – 5/29/26 Though we have two great solemnities after Pentecost (Trinity Sunday and Corpus Christi Sunday), the Church has officially returned once again to the season we call “Ordinary Time.”  We are not simply returning to the mundane routines of life; in truth, Ordinary Time may be one of the greatest … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder – 5/22/26 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This weekend, the Church throughout the world celebrates the great feast of Pentecost, the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles like tongues of fire and transformed frightened disciples into bold witnesses of the Gospel. Pentecost is often called the “birthday of … Continued

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This weekend, our parish bids farewell, at least for now, to our pastoral year seminarian, Jonathan Webster. As his assignment among us comes to a close, I want to offer a word of heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous gift he has been to our parish family this past year. … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder – 5/8/26 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This weekend, as the Church celebrates the 6th Sunday of the Easter season, the nation has set this weekend aside as a special celebration of motherhood.  There’s a line from the Gospel that always jumps out to me when I think about moms … Continued

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, There is a quiet crisis described in this Sunday’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Not a crisis of persecution, nor of doctrine…but a crisis of charity. The widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution.  Something so simple and practical has become a point of tension in … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder – 4/24/26 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, The image of Our Lord as the Good Shepherd is one of my favorites. With such incredible and unexpected kindness, Jesus takes the wayward and wearied lamb upon His shoulders, and brings it home. The 4th Sunday of the Easter season is always dedicated … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder 4/17/26 In recent days, ridiculous comments by the President about Pope Leo XIV have circulated widely in the news and across social media. The Holy Father is being interpreted through a political lens, praised or criticized as though he were a head of state first and a spiritual father second, but … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder – 4/10/26 On this Second Sunday of Easter, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast given to the Church through the mystical experiences of St. Faustina Kowalska and officially established for the universal Church by Pope John Paul II in the Jubilee Year 2000. At first glance, it might seem almost … Continued

Dear brothers and sisters in the Risen Christ, The strife is o’er, the battle done.  Christ is risen as He promised.  Happy and Blessed Day of the Resurrection to all of you! As we celebrate this most central mystery of our faith, the Vatican has recently announced the date and time for the celebration of … Continued

Padre’s Points to Ponder – 3/27/26 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Now that we have arrived at Palm Sunday, Holy Week is upon us.  The week is the heart of the Church’s liturgical year. In these sacred days, we are drawn into the saving mysteries of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Each liturgy offers … Continued

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As we enter the Fifth Sunday of Lent, many of you may notice something striking as you walk into the church: statues and images are veiled. The main crucifix over the altar, The Blessed Mother and St. Joseph all disappear behind purple cloth; the lights on our saint portraits … Continued

A New Vision for Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Atlanta Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In the coming years, the Archdiocese of Atlanta will gradually introduce some changes to how the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated and prepared for in our parishes. While the most visible change will eventually be the age at which … Continued

From Darkness to Light: the Scrutinies Begin Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This weekend at our 10:30am Mass we begin an annual sacred and powerful “moment” in the life of our parish and the Church: the Scrutinies for those preparing to enter the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). What … Continued