It was in Atlanta, Georgia, where Fr. Scott Reilly, LC, in many ways, learned “how to be a priest.” With the accompaniment of his fellow Legionary priests, and particularly, Fr. John Hopkins, LC, Fr. Scott learned how to preach, how to mission, and how to accompany others.
Now, Fr. Scott takes on the new role of pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, a vibrant parish located in the archdiocese of Atlanta. The parish has been entrusted to the pastoral care of the Legionaries of Christ for the past 13 years, under the guidance of Fr. Matthew VanSmoorenburg, LC, who served as the previous pastor who has moved to St. Thomas More parish in the Philadelphia area. Fr. Michael Shannon, LC, continues in his role as parochial vicar of St. Brendan’s.
Fr. Scott’s installation Mass was held on August 24th and was presided by Most Reverend Joel M. Konzen, S.M., Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta. “The English language isn’t quite able to capture this moment in a perfect description,” said Bishop Konzen in his homily. “We call what we do today ‘installing a pastor,’ but I prefer to think of this Mass and its formalities more as a blessing—blessing of the pastor by the bishop, blessing of this parish by God’s hand in assigning your pastor, and blessing of all here present by the example of the apostles, sent to preach penitence and liberty and in whose names our priests are commissioned.”
In his homily, Bishop Konzen went on to elaborate on the role of the pastor, which is often seen as an administrative position, focused on responsibilities like hiring and leading a staff, setting the Mass schedule, and managing the finances. But what parishioners are really looking for in a pastor, said Bishop Konzen, is a shepherd—someone who enlightens by what he says and does, someone who reveals points of understanding about the spiritual journey, and someone whom they can trust. He is the person who most represents Jesus Christ, who brings the body of Christ to them, and who gathers them as the body of Christ—as Church—in worship.
“To be pastor, to truly shepherd a people, requires humility and a commitment to serve rather than to be served, thanking God for the vocation to witness the love and compassion of the Lord himself. Fr. Scott will not fail in that responsibility.”
On behalf of Archbishop Gregory John Hartmayer, Bishop Konzen thanked the Legionaries of Christ for their presence and service within the archdiocese of Atlanta, and particularly for their ministry at St. Brendan’s over the past 13 years. “This parish has enjoyed the stewardship of the Legionaries, which provides a certain charism, a certain spiritual flavor to its ministry,” said Bishop Konzen. “Fr. Matthew VanSmoorenburg has overseen the steady flowering of this parish population, and we can be confident that the Legionaries will continue to ensure that this parish of St. Brendan’s is in the hands of a loving and capable pastor, and that it will maintain its character as a diverse and welcoming congregation.” Along with the valuable and harmonic service of the many other vibrant spiritualities and religious groups present at the parish, Regnum Christi members serve in Adult Faith Formation, Youth Faith Formation, Hispanic Ministries, and many other committees and projects.
Bishop Konzen concluded his homily with a blessing for Fr. Scott and the entire congregation in this Jubilee Year of Hope:
Fr Scott has responded to his community’s invitation to be the very agent of God’s care. May he who pastors and those who share and support his ministry be united in a will to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, in mercy and in gladness, through the intercession of Our Lady, she who was mother to Christ, our everlasting hope. May the God of all goodness guide you, Fr. Scott, and may your shepherding be a worthy and steadfast blessing to this pilgrim people.
For Fr. Scott, this new position in the archdiocese of Atlanta feels much like a homecoming. Ordained a Legionary priest in 1997, he Fr. Scott spent the first 13 years of his ministry in Atlanta, serving as chaplain to Pinecrest Academy and to St. Pius X Catholic High School, and nationally as the territorial director.
Since then, Fr. Scott has ministered in the Houston and Philadelphia localities, before returning to Atlanta last year where he has been serving as parochial vicar at St. Brendan’s before taking on the role of pastor this summer.
At the installation Mass, Fr. Scott was joined by his family, as well as many Regnum Christi members, Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, and his fellow Legionary priests, including his brother, Fr. Steven Reilly, who serves as territorial councillor for the Legionaries of Christ in North America. And, of course, many parishioners, whom Fr. Scott thanked for their continuing faith and support. “You bring so much of Jesus in your hearts, which you receive from him in the Mass. So, it is a great gift to be here, with my fellow Legionaries, and I’m looking forward to what the Lord has in store.”
To find out more about St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, visit their website.