A Second Home on Gloster Road
Tucked into a quiet, tree-shaded stretch of northern Lawrenceville, St. Marguerite d'Youville Catholic Church sits along Gloster Road NW as a place that its members habitually call their "second home." The parish of more than 600 registered households was bifurcated from St. John Neumann Catholic Church, less than six miles away, and now serves as a Eucharistic anchor in the Northeastern Deanery of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Three priests, two deacons, and a constellation of religious sisters walk the property, while the surrounding woodlands, Marian gardens, and Stations of the Cross paths give the grounds the contemplative feel of a retreat house rather than a busy suburban church.
That atmosphere is intentional. The Fransalian Fathers - Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) of the USA Vice Province - have provided pastoral care at the parish since its founding, and the Salesian spirituality of patience, gentleness, and warmth shapes both the liturgy and the pace of parish life. Anyone who drives through the St. Marguerite area "will certainly experience an atmosphere of peace and silence within," according to the parish itself, and the goal is for the church to remain "an apt and appropriate place for prayer, meditation, reflection, contemplation and solitude."
Mass in Three Languages Under One Roof
St. Marguerite d'Youville is unusual in the Archdiocese of Atlanta for the breadth of languages in which the Eucharist is regularly celebrated. The weekend schedule begins with a Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30 pm and continues on Sunday with two English Masses at 8:30 am and 11:00 am. At 1:00 pm on Sundays the sanctuary fills with Polish-speaking parishioners for a Mass led by Fr. Jacek Nowak, S.Chr., director of the Polish Apostolate that the parish hosts for the Archdiocese. At 4:30 pm the pews gather again for a French/Creole/Haitian Mass that serves the Haitian Catholic community of Gwinnett County.
Weekday Masses fill the rest of the calendar: 8:30 am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with a different rhythm on Wednesdays. Wednesday afternoons begin at 5:30 pm with Adoration, the Rosary, and Benediction, followed by Holy Mass - a devotion that has become a quiet centerpiece of parish prayer life. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturday mornings from 9:15 to 10:30 am and again before the Vigil Mass from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, with appointments available at any time by calling the parish office. On First Fridays the church opens for an extended day of Adoration from 9:00 am to 6:15 pm, bracketed by 8:30 am and 6:30 pm Masses.
The parish celebrates the liturgy in the Roman Rite, with the main sanctuary seating more than 550 people. The Music Ministry, led by choir director Maria Signorile, supports the three main weekend Masses with a Tuesday-evening rehearsal from 7:30 to 9:00 pm and a warm-up 45 minutes before Mass. Singers, pianists, organists, guitarists, flutists, and bass players are all invited to share their gifts.
The Patron Saint: Marguerite d'Youville, Mother of Universal Charity
Behind the parish name stands one of North America's most remarkable saints. Marie Marguerite Dufrost de La Jemmerais was born on October 15, 1701, at Varennes, Quebec. After marrying Francois d'Youville in 1722 and being widowed in 1730, she supported herself and her three children while giving herself to charitable work through the Confraternity of the Holy Family. In 1737 she founded the Grey Nuns of Montreal with three companions, took her initial vows, and was later confirmed as Superior when Bishop of Pontbriand of Quebec gave his approval in 1755. She died on December 23, 1771.
Her feast day is October 16, and her patronage covers widows, difficult marriages, and the death of young children. She was beatified by Pope John XXIII in 1959 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on December 9, 1990, in Vatican Basilica - becoming the first native-born Canadian to be declared a saint. Since her death the Grey Nuns she founded have established schools, hospitals, and orphanages throughout Canada, the United States, Africa, and South America, with a special outreach to the Inuit. The parish's stated mission draws directly on her legacy: "creating a second home for God's people of all Nations, Races and Cultures ... by focusing on the Holy Eucharist and following the spirituality of St. Marguerite d'Youville, the Mother of Universal Charity, and St. Francis de Sales, the Gentleman Saint."
The Grounds: Adoration Chapel, Marian Grotto, and Farabaugh Hall
The physical plant of the parish mirrors its contemplative mission. A perpetual Adoration Chapel allows the faithful to come and adore day and night, while the Marian Garden offers outdoor space for prayer and reflection. An outdoor altar and Marian Grotto host rosaries, rosary walks, and outdoor Stations of the Cross along the St. Edward Garden between the church and the rectory. Together, these features give St. Marguerite a feel more of an enclosed garden than a typical suburban parking-lot parish.
Across the property stands the Farabaugh Banquet Hall, recently renovated with new hardwood flooring, drapes on all sides, a full-size stage, and RGB DJ lighting with a DMS controller. The hall accommodates 280 guests for dining and can be reserved for weddings and receptions, quinceañeras, proms, graduations, anniversaries, corporate events, birthday parties, and community gatherings. Parishioners receive special pricing, and inquiries can be directed to the parish office.
Sacraments for Every Stage of Life
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, treating each as a pastoral event as much as a liturgical one. Parents who wish to baptize their children register through the parish office and download a Godparent Eligibility Form; baptism preparation classes meet on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 am in the upper-level Conference Room, and baptisms are generally scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays immediately following the 11:00 am Mass. Reconciliation is offered in the confessional beside the Narthex, and a Godparent or Sponsor must have attended a Baptism Class at St. Marguerite within the prior two years.
Confirmation preparation is integrated into the High School Youth Ministry program and is reserved for students who have completed at least a full year of youth ministry (typically 9th grade) and are in 10th grade or older. A Sponsor Eligibility Form is required at least three months in advance. First Eucharist flows naturally from the parish's Parish School of Religion program. Marriage preparation is conducted with the pastor over a course of several months and couples are asked to contact the parish office for an appointment. Holy Orders vocations are referred to the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and Anointing of the Sick is administered after every Mass on the second weekend of each month or by appointment - with one of the priests available at 470-550-1087 for genuine emergencies.
Faith Formation from Kindergarten Through High School
Faith formation at St. Marguerite d'Youville is organized into four coordinated tracks that share the same Sunday hour of 9:45 to 10:45 am, between the two English Masses. The Parish School of Religion welcomes children from kindergarten through fifth grade and centers on the principle that parents are the primary educators of their children in the Catholic faith; the program is designed to support families in prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and the Church's teaching.
The Middle School Youth Ministry, for grades 6 through 8, focuses on prayer, Scripture, faith study, service, and a particular emphasis on the Eucharist. High School Youth Ministry, for grades 9 through 12, follows the framework of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and aims to form young disciples through Sacred Scripture, prayer, discussion, small groups, retreats, Catholic media, and service to the parish and local community. Confirmation is described not as the end of faith formation but as a strengthening by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
For adults who have not yet been baptized, who are already baptized Christians seeking full communion, or who have not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) meets Sundays at 9:45 am. The program culminates in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism (when needed), Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist - at the Easter Vigil. The 2026-2027 OCIA program is directed by Sr. Deena Martin Leena, SSS, who can be reached through the parish office at 770-381-7337. Tomas Smolinski coordinates Adult Faith Formation with Bible Study on the same Salesian line of spiritual reading.
Fifty-Five Ministries, One Parish Council
St. Marguerite lists fifty-five active ministries organized into seven categories, each chaired by a Parish Council member. Cindy Morrill oversees Family Life and Evangelization; Elizabeth Nkereuwem leads Parish Life; Carlton Hollis directs Spiritual Life; Gaby Calero coordinates Social Life; Kathleen Brown handles Communication; and Tomasz Smolinski oversees Education. Mike Rutledge's portfolio covers Special Ministries of the Parish.
Among the most visible are the liturgical ministries - Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (both at Mass and to the sick), Greeters, Lectors, the Music Ministry, and Ushers. The Greeters arrive fifteen to twenty minutes before Mass to welcome parishioners and visitors alike and to recruit gift bearers for the Offertory procession. The Altar Server Association, established on February 9, 2018, trains servers after First Communion and in the fall under the coordination of Mr. Binh Tran. Ushers number around twenty dedicated parishioners, ranging in age from eighteen to retired seniors, who direct seating, organize Communion, sanitize pews, and assist anyone needing extra help during Mass.
Beyond liturgy, the parish supports a Garden Ministry that plants and tends the church's flowerbeds and indoor container plants; a Prayer Shawl Ministry that knits and crochets shawls, scarves, hats, and blankets for the sick and terminally ill; a Prayer Line Ministry accessible by phone for special intentions; Martha's Ministry (with its popular Dinner with the Pastor evenings); the Lighthouse Media program that loans CDs and DVDs; and an active Consolation Ministry that walks with parishioners through grief, divorce, or tragedy. A new constellation of ministries includes Young Adults, Welcome Home Catholics, Singles for Christ, Alpha/Arise, the Rosary Makers, the Neighborhood Catholic Communities, Evangelization Outreach, and the Hospitality Ministry that prepares food for priests hearing confessions or running retreats.
The Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent de Paul Society
Two parish organizations carry much of the social and charitable weight. Knights of Columbus Council 12905 was chartered at St. Marguerite in April 2001 and now numbers more than eighty members. The council has earned multiple Star and Double Star awards, state program awards, and a runner-up International award in the Church category, and it raises substantial funds through annual golf tournaments and Friday-night fish fries. During Lent, the Knights host a generous fish fry in the Farabaugh Banquet Hall every Friday (except Good Friday) from 5:00 to 7:30 pm, serving fried whitefish, grilled salmon, grilled mahi-mahi, a seafood sampler, fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, iced tea, coffee, lemonade, New England clam chowder, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, and home-baked desserts including their Fish Fry Peach Cobbler. Take-out boxes are available for those who prefer to take dinner home.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Marguerite operates its own conference that meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Conference Room. The conference serves residents of the 30044 area, offering financial help to those who have lost jobs, are relocating, are experiencing health problems, or are single mothers in difficulty, and maintains a food pantry available once a month with food and frozen meat. The parish-wide Annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Programs - now in their seventeenth year - draw the entire parish into the work of the Society. SVdP Georgia has also partnered with the parish for COVID-19 response efforts, with every dollar raised through the response fund going to Georgians facing hunger, homelessness, and related crises.
Clergy, Staff, and Parish Leadership
The pastor is Fr. Noble Dominic, MSFS, who can be reached at 470-550-1087 or frnoble@stmdy.org. Fr. Jacek Nowak, S.Chr., directs the Polish Apostolate, and the two deacons - Rev. Mr. Pete Ranft and Rev. Mr. George Angelich - assist at Masses, weddings, baptisms, and anointings. Deacon Pete also serves as Director of Religious Education, reachable at psr@stmdy.org. Sister Deena Martin Leena, SSS, oversees the OCIA program, and Sister Dipti Teresa, SSS, directs Youth Ministry at youthministry@stmdy.org. Maria Signorile directs the Choir, Tomas Smolinski leads Adult Faith Formation, and Nancy Sarmiento is the Finance Manager.
The parish is guided by three lay councils. The Parish Council sets pastoral direction and is chaired in functional areas by Cindy Morrill (Evangelization), Elizabeth Nkereuwem (Parish Life), Carlton Hollis (Spiritual Life), Kathleen Brown (Communication), Gaby Calero (Social Life), Mike Rutledge (Special Ministries), and Tomasz Smolinski (Education). The Finance Council, chaired by David King, includes Diane Rutledge, Rita Carlson, Liz Gouge, Dragana Zulfic, and Mark Wirt. The Stewardship Council, chaired by Liz Payne, brings together Laura Calley, Mary Ann Kurian, Barry Pierce, and Tomasz Smolinski to support the time, talent, and treasure that the parish depends on. Fr. Tomy J. Puliyan, MSFS, a former pastor who was installed by Archbishop Wilton Gregory on October 1, 2017, continues to contribute a personal reflection blog called Honeycomb Today, available through the parish website.
Staying Connected: Office Hours, Giving, and Apps
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The main line is (770) 381-7337, with a second line at (770) 381-8062. Email is routed through admin@stmdy.org, with general correspondence handled by secretary@stmdy.org. Recorded Holy Mass and the parish bulletin can be found on the parish YouTube channel, and the MyParish app - available for both Android and iPhone - keeps parishioners current with bulletins, announcements, and parish news. Online giving is available through ParishSoft at the dedicated giving link on the parish website, and the Archdiocese of Atlanta also accepts donations through its annual appeal.
For families with young children, the parish has long partnered with Academy for Little Lambs, a preschool whose website is linked from the parish's resource pages. The Polish Apostolate maintains its own website under the Archdiocese of Atlanta's Polish ministry umbrella. New parishioners are invited to register in person at the parish office, through the online registration form, or by completing the forms available in the Narthex; registration allows the parish to plan for Mass capacity, religious education classes, the OCIA process, and pastoral care.
Listening for the Future: The Next Generation Parish Plan
In the words of the parish, St. Marguerite d'Youville is "a 25 years old parish" - rooted enough in the community to have a settled rhythm, young enough to be still planning its future. After six months of prayer, listening sessions, interviews, demographic analysis, sacramental data, and a Disciple Maker Index survey, a Discovery Team has completed a Next Generation Parish Pastoral Plan that will guide the parish over the coming years. Three pastoral priorities emerged from that work to strengthen parish life and deepen the parish's mission.
The DMI survey also revealed clear strengths: 88 percent of respondents say the parish is welcoming, 94 percent believe the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ, and 97 percent attend Holy Mass at least weekly. Mission, Vision, Values, and Pastoral Priorities documents are available to parishioners through linked Google documents. The pastoral team's stated goal is to make every parishioner's spiritual journey "a Living, Loving, Vibrant and Eucharistic Experience" - a phrase that recurs across the parish website, the youth ministry description, and the OCIA materials, and that sums up what the Fransalian Fathers and the people of St. Marguerite d'Youville hope their Second Home will continue to be for generations to come.