The Rev. John C. Druding

The Reverend John C. Druding, retired Priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, died on Saturday, February 12, at St. George Village. He was 74. Born on July 25, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late John Charles and Sophie Schad Druding. After attending Catholic elementary and secondary schools, he entered St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, earning a B.A. in English Literature and Masters of Divinity, and St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland, studying Moral Theology. He belonged to the Religious Order of the Nobertines from February 11, 1968 to August 28, 1972. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1976, by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan. His first assignment as a priest for the Archdiocese of Atlanta was as Associate Pastor, St. Mary’s Church in Rome from 1976-1977. He then served as Assistant at St. John the Evangelist Church from 1977-1980; Assistant at St. Philip Benizi Church from 1980-1983; Assistant at St. Joseph-Athens from 1983-1985; Pastor at St. Mary’s in Toccoa from 1985-1987. One of Fr. Druding’s most significant ministries was at then Hartsfield International Airport. He was the Catholic representative on the interfaith committee asked to establish a chapel at the airport from its earliest days. He was a member with two other people of the founding committee for the interfaith chapel and chaplaincy program at Hartsfield Airport in approximately 1979. The interfaith chapel at the airport was built in 1980. He became the first Catholic chaplain at the airport. He was involved with the airport ministry from 1979 to 1991 while also serving at various parishes. He foresaw the need for ministry to the thousands of travelers and employees at what has become the world’s busiest airport. He was the Pastor at Holy Trinity Church from 1987-1991; Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church from 1991-1994; Parochial Vicar at All Saints Church from 1994-1996; Advocate in the Provincial Court of Appeals in 1995. He was responsible for the establishment of the Mission of Mary Our Queen in 1994 and continued to serve as the Administrator until 1996. He was the Parochial Vicar of St. Andrews Church in Roswell from 1996-2001; Parochial Vicar at St. John Neumann Church in Lilburn from 2001 until his retirement in 2005. He was devoted to St. John Neumann and greatly admired Pope John Paul II from the beginning of his papacy onward. He is survived by a brother and sister - in - law, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Druding of PA; a nephew, Timothy Druding of PA; a niece, Regina Siegfried of PA; and a niece, Karen Druding of PA. The vigil and funeral services will be held at St. Peter Chanel Church, 11330 Woodstock Rd., Roswell, Georgia 30075.The body of Fr. Druding will be received at the church on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 4 p.m. and will lie in state. A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m., with Fr. Peter Rau presiding. The recitation of the rosary will follow. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at St. Peter Chanel Church, with Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama as the principal celebrant. 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 Vocations Office, Archdiocese of Atlanta, 680 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308. Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, 770-645-1414. www.northsidechapel.com

The Rev. John C. Druding

July 25, 1936 - February 12, 2011