The Southern Cross recently reached out to parishes with a Spanish-speaking population to gather perspectives on how immigration laws have affected them.
This is the second installment of a four-part series.

By Dana Clark Felty
For the Southern Cross

“Families are being torn apart,” Erika Garza told The Moultrie Observer in June. “I don’t think people recognize the severity of the issue.”

Clemency Requested For Death Row Inmate Troy Davis By Andrew Nelson Staff Writer Published in The Georgia Bulletin, 9/15/11 ATLANTA—Catholic spiritual leaders asked the state Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant clemency to Troy Davis, the death row inmate convicted of murdering an off-duty Savannah police. Davis is scheduled to be executed at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, for the 1989 death of Savannah Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail.

Bishop-designate Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM Conv.

By Michael J. Johnson
“I am extremely grateful to Pope Benedict for his confidence in me as the bishop of Savannah,” said Bishop-designate Gregory John Hartmayer, Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.) as he stood on the shady lawn of Lafayette Square opposite the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Savannah. 

The announcement of his appointment as the 14th bishop of Savannah was released in Washington D.C.  Tuesday, 161 years after the establishment of the Diocese of Savannah on July 19, 1850.

DIOCESE

A Gathering of Women
Take time to get in touch with God, yourself and other women. Spend February 28 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at “Inner Path: A Gathering of Women” at Villa Marie Center on the Isle of Hope, 6 Dolan Drive, Savannah. Fay Key, spiritual director for the Green Bough House of Prayer will facilitate the day. Donation $10. Bring a bag lunch. Beverages and snacks provided. Pre-registration required.

Call or e-mail Jackie Griffith, SSJ, 912-201-4067 or jagriffith@diosav.org for registration form and details.

DIOCESE

Intercollegiate Retreat

The 2008-2009 Intercollegiate Retreat will be January 30-February 1, 2009. The retreat will be at Little Ocmulgee State Park. This year the retreat will be led by Father Tony Dittmer, the Campus Chaplain at Illinois State University. No matter where you stand in your walk with Christ, this retreat will help you see where and how you can draw intimately deeper to him. Not to mention, you'll meet new friends and have a great time.

Contact Robert Funsch at savvoc@hotmail.com for more information.

DIOCESE

Diaconate Ordination
Bishop J. Kevin Boland will ordain seminarian J. Scott Winchel a transitional deacon at noon on December 26, the Feast of Saint Stephen, deacon and first martyr  in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. All are invited.

Intercollegiate Retreat