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'Catholicism' author Father Barron featured speaker

RALEIGH — Bishop Peter J. Jugis joined his brother bishops from the Atlanta Province Aug. 27-29 during the province's Assembly of Bishops and Priests, hosted by the Diocese of Raleigh.

The assembly included seven bishops and approximately 130 priests of the Atlanta Province.

The clergy are pictured during the celebration of the closing Mass of the three-day assembly at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh.

The Atlanta Province encompasses five dioceses in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and is headed by Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory.

Every two years, clergy in the province come together for study days. The 2012 session was hosted by the Diocese of Raleigh.

This year's presenter was Father Robert Barron, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, who has become a leader in the New Evangelization.

Twelve years ago, Father Barron began "Word on Fire Catholic Ministries," which includes broadcast programs, books, commentaries and blogs. Among his recent projects has been a book titled "Catholicism" and a 10-part documentary, "The Catholicism Project," in which he traveled to 16 countries to tell the story of the Church. The acclaimed series aired on public television in 2011 and on Catholic TV channels.

In May, Cardinal Francis George named Father Barron to the position of rector and president the University of Our Lady of the Lake (Mundelein) Seminary in the archdiocese. Father Barron said he will continue his evangelization work in addition to the work required in his new assignment.

On Tuesday evening, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh for those attending the province meeting.

Besides Bishop Jugis, concelebrants were Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Charleston (S.C.) Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone, Savannah Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, Savannah's retired Bishop J. Kevin Boland, Atlanta Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama and priests from all over the Province of Atlanta.

Noting that Aug. 28 was the Feast of St. Augustine, Archbishop Gregory focused most of his homily on the importance of one of the most well-known Doctors of the Church.

"St. Augustine was one of the most eloquent and most important leaders in the first 1,000 years of the Church," Archbishop Gregory said. "His wisdom inspires us still today. His writings and his preaching illuminated and still illuminates the Church."

With the theme of this year's study days being the New Evangelization, Archbishop Gregory pointed to the evangelization success of St. Augustine.

"He spoke in a clear, transparent and simple way. St. Augustine had the ability to express the profound in very concise ways."

Read more about Father Barron's talks to the Atlanta Province: www.dioceseofraleigh.org/news/view.aspx?id=1598

— Story and photos by Richard Reece, Diocese of Raleigh

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