Monsignor Paul H. Reynolds

Msgr. Paul H. Reynolds, pastor of St. Brigid Catholic Church, Johns Creek, died on Saturday, Dec. 18, at Emory University Hospital. He was 72. Born on April 13, 1938, in Dublin, Ireland, he was the son of the late Patrick and Brigid Phelan Reynolds. After attending Catholic elementary and secondary schools, he entered All Hallows College Seminary in Dublin for six years of study. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1963, by The Most Reverend Denis Moynihan of Kerry. He initially served as a priest for the Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham, Ala., from 1963 until mid-1970. He then requested to be assigned to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. He received his first assignment in Georgia in July 1970 and was formally incardinated as a priest of the Atlanta Archdiocese in February 1974. For the next 40 years, Msgr. Reynolds served as the beloved pastor of several parishes in the archdiocese. He also served the archdiocese as a vicar general; as chancellor; as a member of the archdiocesan Board of Education; member of the archbishop’s priest advisory group, the College of Consultors; as a regional dean selected by his fellow priests; and as a judge in the Court of Appeals of the Atlanta Province. The heart of his priesthood was as pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Smyrna; St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, where he was the founding pastor and assisted in opening St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School; St. Andrew Church, Roswell; and St. Brigid Church. As pastor he fostered the growth of strong faith communities with many vibrant ministries, especially in spirituality, education and music. He devoted his attention to parishioners’ spiritual lives, seeking to renew and deepen their faith and his own. Wit and self-deprecating humor were characteristic of him as were compassion and a humble posture. He was elevated to the rank of prelate of honor with the title of monsignor in May 2001. Stricken by leukemia in 2002, while serving as vicar general in curia of the archdiocese and chancellor, he underwent medical treatment and received an outpouring of prayer for healing. He then returned to serving the church full time, resuming his role as vicar general until 2006 when he was named pastor of St. Brigid Church, his final pastorate. He is survived by one brother, William, and several nieces and nephews. The vigil and funeral services will be held at St. Brigid Church, 3400 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. The body of Msgr. Reynolds will be received at the church on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 4 p.m. and will lie in state. A vigil service will be held at 8 p.m., with Atlanta Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama presiding and Father Frank McNamee as homilist. The recitation of the rosary will follow. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, at St. Brigid Church, with Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory as the principal celebrant and homilist. The rite of committal will take place at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, immediately following the funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. Brigid Catholic Church Building Fund.

Monsignor Paul H. Reynolds

April 13, 1938 - December 18, 2010