April 17, 2018
Msgr. R. Donald Kiernan ’45 & ’99Hon.; beloved priest served Atlanta alumni, community
Msgr. R. Donald Kiernan ’45 & ’99Hon., who for many years served the pastoral needs of the Providence College Atlanta Alumni Club while participating as a member, died Jan. 9, 2018.
A priest for 69 years, Msgr. Kiernan annually celebrated a Mass and hosted a reception for alumni in the Atlanta area, always expressing his pride for his alma mater and emphasizing the significance of Catholic education. A scholarship to assist Atlanta-area students in attending PC was established in his name.
Known for his warmth, sense of humor, and commitment to his ministry both within the Church and the community, Msgr. Kiernan was a pivotal figure in the growth of Catholicism in Atlanta and indeed, throughout the state of Georgia. When he began his ministry as assistant rector of the Cathedral of John the Baptist in Savannah, the Diocese of Savannah included all of Georgia.
He served in 11 parishes from Savannah to Gainesville, as the Catholic population doubled and re-doubled in the state and the Diocese of Atlanta was established in 1956. Msgr. Kiernan served in the Atlanta diocese — which became an archdiocese in 1962 — from its inception. One of the parishes where he was pastor, St. Jude’s in Sandy Springs, reached a peak of 3,000 families, leading to the formation of a Mary Our Queen Parish in nearby Peachtree Corners.
Catherine A. (Greaber) Abely ’83 got to know Msgr. Kiernan when she worked in the St. Jude’s rectory answering phones as a high school student. He was “a sweet man and had a fabulous sense of humor,” said Abely, who added that his admiration for PC influenced her decision to come north and attend PC.
“Monsignor had a special place in his heart for PC, so I knew it had to be a special place. He would speak about it in his strong Boston accent, and he made it sound so welcoming — which, of course, it was,” said Abely, who is the investment director at Children’s Health Care Center of Atlanta.
Msgr. Kiernan ended his active ministry in 2010 when he retired as pastor of All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody — a position he held for 25 years.
One of the most compelling facets of his priestly life was his outreach to individuals and groups in law enforcement. Msgr. Kiernan was a co-founder of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and served as its director and chaplain for more than 20 years. He also served as chaplain to the Georgia State Patrol, the DeKalb County police, the Metropolitan Atlanta police, and local divisions of the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
In addition, he served in a variety of roles for the archdiocese, most prominently as vicar general from 2000-2005, but including responsibilities in education, the Metropolitan Tribunal, and in priest personnel. He also was a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.
A native of Taunton, Mass., he studied at Coyle High School in Taunton, PC, and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 4, 1949, by Cardinal Richard Cushing of Boston.
Msgr. Kiernan is survived by the children and grandchildren of his siblings.
His Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 17 in All Saints Catholic Church. Burial followed in the parish’s columbarium.
