Although it is hard to find any evidence
today of the destruction and devastation that was the Atlanta
Campaign of 1864, there does stand a monument on the grounds of
City Hall to Father Thomas O'Reilly. A man whose powerful
personality stopped a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut and managed
to save not only all of Atlanta's churches and municipal buildings
but 400 other structures as well.
The Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta recalled the actions
of this brave cleric with much fanfare on Friday, March 12, 2004.
Visitors from near and far attended the festivities, the most
notable of which were Father Mark Noonan and Father Robert
Whiteside; the President and Vice President of All Hallows College
in Dublin, Ireland where Father O'Reilly studied for the
priesthood in 1852.
The day began with a tour of the Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception where Father O'Reilly served as Pastor. The Rev. Bart
DeSandre, Deacon at the Shrine gave a colorful and informative
lecture on the church and Father O'Reilly's contribution to
history. The attendees were allowed to visit the crypt of Father
O'Reilly which is located in the Shrine. Immediately following the
tour a Mass was concelebrated by Monsignor Edward Dillon,
Monsignor Thomas Kenny, Fathers T.J. Meehan and John Kieran, as
well as Fathers Noonan and Whiteside. Kathleen Donohoe sang a
beautiful rendition of Cead Mille Failte, Jesu. At the end of the
Mass Father Noonan read a Letter of Greeting from Prime Minister
Bertie Ahern of Ireland to the Hibernian Benevolent Society and
the people of Atlanta.
Afterwards, everyone proceeded to the City Hall monument where
dozens more awaited the wreath laying ceremony, including the
MAPES Honor Guard and representatives from the Fire Emerald
Society. Kevin Martinez, Chairman of the Father O'Reilly Committee
for 2004, introduced the event and recognized its distinguished
guests which included: Dr. David Sapp, the Pastor of Second Ponce
de Leon Baptist Church, Rev. Steven Bacon, the Pastor of Central
Presbyterian Church. Patrick, Charles and John Lynch; descendants
of Patrick Lynch in whose home the first Mass in Atlanta was
celebrated and who was instrumental in rebuilding Immaculate
Conception after the war were also in attendance.
The Rev. Micheal Jones of the Mayor's Office represented the
Honorable Shirley Franklin and presented a Pheonix Award to Father
Meehan recognizing Immaculate Conception's contributions to the
City. A Letter of Greeting by Gov. Sonny Perdue was read and
presented to Father Noonan of All Hallows College. Father
Whiteside laid the wreath at the monument. The Helen Mountaine
Dancers from Ireland gave a lively performance of traditional
Irish dance and Dr. David Sapp closed the ceremony with a moving
benediction.
The day celebrated the life of a man who exemplified the virtues
of courage, piety and ecumenism. His lesson should always be
remembered and never forgotten.
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