Welcome

The Catholic family of St. Kilian Parish, guided by the Holy Spirit and nourished by God's Word and the Eucharist, building on our Benedictine tradition of welcome, prayer and liturgy, seeks to be a vibrant, faith-filled community, committed to worshiping God, loving God and witnessing God in and through our neighbor.

Our parish is in need of additional Ushers and Greeters.  Please contact Deacon George Owen if you are able to participate in this ministry.

The first person one is likely to meet when coming to Mass is one of the men and women who serve as ushers. Their presence, conversation and demeanor speak of a genuine desire that all who come to St. Kilian are welcome. Ushers help respond to the needs of the congregation, help visitors find seats, take up the collection and assist in organizing the people who present the gifts at the Offertory.

Parish Greeters are included in the Parish Ministry of Hospitality.  Hospitality is more than coffee and cake. It is an attitude of reverence for one another which is rooted in the belief that we are made in the image and likeness of God. St. Kilian's Hospitality Ministry is modeled on the rule of St. Benedict which states, "All guests are to be received as Christ." As disciples, we are called to welcome the stranger. Through this ministry, it is hoped that we will be able to facilitate the welcoming process whenever there is an occasion for social participation in parish community life.

All parishioners are invited to pray for vocations. St. Kilian’s has begun a new prayer ministry in which we use the Elijah Cup. The concept of the Elijah Cup is taken from the biblical story of The Prophet Elijah as he interacts with the Widow of Zarephath in 1Kings 17:8-15. Elijah encourages the Widow to trust in God and rely on His promises, and their physical needs were met abundantly. The Church reminds us that it is the responsibility and privilege of the laity to pray for increased vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life; we do so in confidence and trust. If we pray with the faith of the widow of Zarephath, our cup will never run dry! We will always have priests to bring us Jesus in the Eucharist.

The Elijah Cup is a consecrated chalice that will be used by the celebrant at Mass. After purifying the cup, the priest will present it to the scheduled family, individual or couple who will take the cup home and put it in a place of honor. The purpose of the Elijah Cup is only to be used as a focal point for prayer in the home. Each day for a week, as the family gathers (morning, evening or at meals),
they pray for an increase and perseverance of vocations. The following Sunday, they return the Elijah Cup with the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory.
A prayer journal also travels with the Elijah Cup. In it, those who host the cup can enter a thought, prayer, Scripture verse or experience. In time, this diary will become a spiritual journal for the Parish.

(With thanks to the Serra Atlanta Organization, Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia
for organizing this program to foster vocations and for sharing it with our parish.) 

Email Family Ministry if you are interested in being a host family for the Elijah cup.

Message of the Holy Father for the 45th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Vocation Prayer