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The official magazine of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah

Diocesan News

January 09, 2026

2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Route Announced

January 8, 2026 | Fort Wayne, Indiana – In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage announces its theme - One Nation Under God - as a...
May 27, 2025

Georgia's Catholic Bishops Express Support for the Religious Workforce Protection Act

The Hon. Jon Ossoff Hart Senate Office Building Suite 317 Washington, DC 20510 The Hon. Rev. Raphael Warnock Hart Senate Office Building Suite 717 Washington, DC 20510   Dear...
April 02, 2025

HB 123

El Senado de Georgia aprobó el 31 de marzo el Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara de Representantes 123, una medida que protege a las personas vulnerables de la pena de muerte. Previam...
April 02, 2025

Statement on House Bill 123

Atlanta Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., and Bishop Stephen D. Parkes of Savannah express their gratitude to lawmakers and advocates for the passage of House Bill 123...
April 02, 2025

Georgia Legislature Passes Historic Bill on Intellectual Disability Claims in Death Penalty Cases

Atlanta, GA - March 31, 2025 - The Georgia legislature has passed House Bill 123, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that aims to reform the state's laws concerning intellect...
March 26, 2025

Riley Gaines Keynote Speaker for 2025 Savannah Care Center Gala

At this year’s Savannah Care Center Gala, the Southern Cross sat down with keynote speaker Riley Gaines, swimmer, political activist, and bestselling author, who has drawn the n...
February 04, 2025

The Bishops of Georgia and the Georgia Catholic Conference Release Statement on Immigration

The Catholic Church proclaims to the world that human life is sacred and has intrinsic value because every human person is fashioned in the image and likeness of the Creator. Go...
February 04, 2025

Tuyên Bố Về Vấn Đề Nhập Cư, Giáo Hội Công Giáo Tiểu Bang Georgia

Giáo Hội Công Giáo tuyên bố với thế giới rằng sự sống của con người là thiêng liêng và có giá trị nội tại vì mỗi con người đều được tạo ra theo hình ảnh và giống như Đấng Tạo Hó...
February 04, 2025

Declaración sobre inmigración, Conferencia Católica de Georgia

La Iglesia Católica proclama al mundo que la vida humana es sagrada y su valor intrínseco porque cada ser humano está hecho a imagen y semejanza del Creador. Y Dios creó al homb...
January 27, 2025

The Georgia Martyrs, Venerable Servants of God, to be Beatified

Bishop Stephen D. Parkes is grateful to announce that on January 27, 2025, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the Decree concerning the martyrdom of the Servants of God...
January 03, 2025

Patty Schreck, longtime Cathedral organist and St. Vincent’s music teacher, passes away at age 95

Patricia Barragan Schreck, 95, entered into eternal rest on January 2, 2025. She was born at Telfair Hospital in Savannah on March 1, 1929, the fifth and last child of Lottie an...
December 05, 2024

Catholic Charities Recognized for Disaster Relief Efforts

SAVANNAH Catholic Charities of South Georgia was recently recognized by Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) for their disaster relief efforts and awarded $50,000. Catholic Charities...
November 04, 2024

Reflexiones sobre la Jornada Electoral de 2024

A medida que se acerca el día de las elecciones, invito a todos los que reúnan los requisitos necesarios a ejercer su derecho al voto. En mi carta para la edición de octubre ...
November 04, 2024

Thoughts from Bishop Stephen D. Parkes Regarding the 2024 National Election

As we approach Election Day, I encourage all who are eligible to exercise their right to vote.   In my letter for the October issue of the Southern Cross, I included a l...
October 07, 2024

Glenmary Father John Brown dies at 70

Father John Thomas Brown, 70, a Glenmary Home Missioner for 46 years, died October 3 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent most of his life serving missions in Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma,...
October 06, 2024

Rite of Solemn Consecration to a Life of Virginity for Women Living in the World

October 6, 2024 at 3 PM | Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Savannah Helen Veronica Thérèse Almeter Mass Program
October 04, 2024

Hurricane Helene Recovery

I would like to thank everyone who has helped both parish and neighbor clean up from Hurricane Helene. It has been a long week and will be a long recovery for some of our brot...
October 03, 2024

Bishop’s message to women contemplating abortion: ‘Go to any Catholic church’

By Peter Pinedo Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 3, 2024 / 04:30 am Here’s a roundup of the latest developments in the U.S. regarding abortion and pro-life issues. Bi...
October 01, 2024

Statement from the Archbishop and Bishops of Georgia on the Abortion Ruling of 9/30/2024

Yesterday’s ruling to overturn Georgia’s abortion ban represents a terrible step backwards in our never-ending efforts to recognize and respect the inherent dignity of every lif...
September 27, 2024

Aftermath of Hurricane Helene | Secuelas del huracán Helene

Early this morning, Hurricane Helene swiftly and powerfully came through the state of Georgia. I especially offer my condolences to those who have experienced loss of life or ...
September 01, 2024

Reverend Monsignor Patrick James "Jim" Costigan

Funeral Sacred Heart Church, Templemore, Ireland Thursday, September 5 at noon IST (7 am EDT) Funeral livestream link   Interment in...
August 31, 2024

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following clergy changes effective September 1, 2024. RETIREMENT Monsignor Christophe...
June 26, 2024

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following clergy appointments effective August 1, 2024. PASTOR Reverend Steven Pavign...
April 27, 2024

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following mission realignments effective July 1, 2024.  St. Ann Catholic Church in ...
April 05, 2024

Fr. Mike Ingram

Reverend Walter Young “Mike” Ingram November 28, 1954 – April 2, 2024 Rosary St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, Grovetown Tuesda...
December 21, 2023

Statement from Bishop Stephen D. Parkes Regarding the Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings

Fiducia supplicans, the declaration issued on December 18, 2023 by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), discusses the pastoral meaning of blessings. Wh...
November 01, 2023

Weekend of GRACE

GRACE (Georgia Residence Assisting Catholic Education) Scholars is the only Catholic Student Scholarship Organization in the state of Georgia.
October 09, 2023

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following clergy changes: Fr. Kim Nguyen has requested retirement as Pastor of Sts. Pe...
June 16, 2023

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following clergy changes effective July 1, 2023: Very Reverend Scott Winchel, VF, appo...
May 05, 2023

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following clergy changes effective July 1, 2023. Retirements Reverend Gerald Ragan ...
May 01, 2023

Statement from Bishop Stephen D. Parkes Regarding the Status of Our Lady of Confidence Carmelite Monastery, Savannah

Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker Dear Friends in Christ, In 1957, Bishop Thomas J. McDonough invited a group of Discalced Carmelite Nuns from Philadelphia to make a new...
March 24, 2023

Declaración del obispo Stephen D. Parkes sobre el informe del Consejo de Abogados de la Fiscalía de Georgia

En 2019, la Arquidiócesis de Atlanta y la Diócesis de Savannah invitaron al Fiscal General de Georgia, Christopher M. Carr, a realizar una revisión de archivos por parte de te...
March 24, 2023

Diocese of Savannah Responds to Release of Report Investigating Handling of Allegations of Abuse

Savannah, GA — The Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of Savannah, released the following statement in response to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council (PAC) review of file...
March 24, 2023

Statement from Bishop Stephen D. Parkes Regarding the Report from the Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia

In 2019, the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah invited Georgia Attorney General Christopher M. Carr to conduct a third-party review of our handling of past ca...
January 01, 2023

Restructuring of the Office of Vocations

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced that the Office of Vocations will be restructured by region beginning in 2023. The following pr...
January 01, 2023

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of Savannah, announces the following clergy appointments : Effective January 1, 2023 Reverend Anthony Phong Kim Bui as Mission Adminis...
September 14, 2022

Update on the Cause of Beatification for Friar Pedro de Corpa and Companions

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Dear Friends in Christ, As we honor the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we are provided the opportunity to reflect u...
August 25, 2022

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following clergy changes. Reverend Vicente Terrazas, reappointed Pastor of St. Christoph...
July 15, 2022

Update on the Use of the Missale Romanum of 1962

** UPDATED: September 8, 2023 ** In response to a request from Bishop Parkes to continue the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Savannah, the Dicastery for Divine Worship ...
July 01, 2022

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following clergy changes effective July 1, 2022. Vicars Forane Very Reverend Scott ...
June 24, 2022

Reflections on the Overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey

I am grateful today for the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States giving each state the ability to legislate the availability of abortion services. As Catholi...
June 19, 2022

Corpus Christi 2022 Spanish

Solemnidad del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo Queridos hermanos en Cristo, Beati qui ad cenam Agni vocati sunt Bienaventurados los que son llamados a la cena del Cord...
June 19, 2022

Corpus Christi 2022 English

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Dear Friends in Christ, Beati qui ad cenam Agni vocati sunt Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb Revel...
May 01, 2022

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following clergy changes effective July 1, 2022. Retirements Reverend John R. Madde...
March 24, 2022

Consecration of Russia and Ukraine Spanish

Pope Francis Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary  
March 24, 2022

Consecration of Russia and Ukraine Parkes

Celebrant: Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
November 04, 2021

Directives for the Celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass

November 4, 2021 Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In his commentary on the Gospel of John, St. Augustine wrote… O Sacramentum pie...
October 13, 2021

Synod

For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission” will solemnly open on the 9th – 10th of October 2021 in Rome and on the following 17th of October in each partic...
September 17, 2021

Listening Session Surveys

REFLECT: LISTENING SESSION QUESTIONNAIRES English Listening Sessions are an opportunity to learn about the needs, expectations and hopes for the Diocese. Thank you f...
July 22, 2021

Statement on Traditionis Custodes

July 22, 2021 Feast of St. Mary Magdalene Dear Friends in Christ, On Friday, July 16, Pope Francis issued the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, in which he establis...
July 02, 2021

No Taxpayer Abortion

July 2, 2021 Dear Friends in Christ, For over four decades, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have worked together to pass legislation blocking federal funding for a...
June 30, 2021

Clergy Appointments

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, has announced the following appointments. All assignments are effective July 1, 2021, unless noted otherwise....
May 23, 2021

Reflect, Renew, Rejoice

A Vision for Our Local Church Introduction Listening Sessions Thank you for your interest in participating in our planning process. More details will be release...
November 08, 2018

List of those credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors | Lista de Priest con acusaciones creíbles de abuso sexual de un menor

**UPDATED 3-16-23** If you are a victim of abuse by clergy, an employee or a volunteer in the Diocese of Savannah, or if you know of anyone who has been a victim of such misc...