About Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry · Dahlonega, Georgia
Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry (AFCM) is a Catholic charismatic missionary movement and mission community in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, headquartered at the Anointing Fire Intercession Center on Auraria Road in Dahlonega, Georgia. Founded by Rev. Fr. Xavier Khan Vattayil, a priest of the Diocese of Palakkad, Kerala, India, AFCM is dedicated to world evangelization through the spiritual renewal of families, catechesis of young adults, Eucharistic adoration, and charismatic prayer. Its Atlanta-area chapter gathers families for Holy Hour, overnight Night Vigil adoration, monthly First Saturday retreats, charismatic prayer services at St. Brendan the Navigator in Cumming, and Bible mission outreach. The community operates under a local spiritual director and with the blessing of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta.
- Established
- 2016
- Patron
- St. Benedict (patron of the Anointing Fire Intercession Center)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Matthew VanSmoorenburg, LC (Spiritual Director)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry offers something distinctive in North Georgia: a charismatic Catholic community centered on deep Eucharistic devotion, with Holy Hour adoration Monday through Thursday, an overnight Night Vigil every Third Friday, and a monthly First Saturday retreat of Mass, praise and worship, Eucharistic procession and confession. It is also a launchpad for mission — from Bible distribution in multiple languages and outreach to nursing homes, to youth programs like 'Thunder of God' and evangelization through social media — making it a fit for families and young adults seeking both prayer and a clear apostolic call.
Mass times at Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- On request after Holy Mass at the Intercession Center
- During the First Saturday one-day retreat (10 AM – 2 PM) at PDM Dependent Monastery
Adoration times
- Holy Hour (Adoration): Monday to Thursday, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Overnight Eucharistic Adoration / Night Vigil: Third Friday, 9:00 PM to Saturday 6:00 AM
- First Saturday Adoration: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Daily Intercession Prayers
About Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry
Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry (AFCM) is a Catholic Charismatic Missionary movement in the Catholic Church founded by Rev. Fr. Xavier Khan Vattayil for world evangelization. Its vision is 'World Evangelization through the spiritual renewal of families and catechism to young adults.' The ministry is made up of local communities of families joined in prayer for evangelization, each established with the blessing of the local bishop and under the direction of a local spiritual director, working from the inspirations received from the Holy Spirit. The Atlanta chapter has carried a blessing from the Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta, the Most Reverend Bernard Shlesinger.
- Founded by Rev. Fr. Xavier Khan Vattayil, a priest of the Diocese of Palakkad, Kerala, India
- Vision: World Evangelization through the spiritual renewal of families and catechism to young adults
- Local communities operate with the blessing of the local bishop and a local spiritual director
- Atlanta chapter operates under the blessing of the Most Reverend Bernard Shlesinger, Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta
Founder and Spiritual Director
The Founder Director of AFCM is Rev. Fr. Xavier Khan Vattayil, a gifted preacher who travels the world conducting retreats for priests, religious and lay faithful; his daily message reaches millions via online media and television through Sehion (http://www.sehion.org). The Atlanta Spiritual Director is Rev. Fr. Matthew VanSmoorenburg, LC, pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish in Cumming, Georgia, in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Fr. Matthew is also a member of the Legionaries of Christ congregation's territorial council for North America and the Regnum Christi Territory Council for North America.
- Rev. Fr. Xavier Khan Vattayil — Founder Director; priest of the Diocese of Palakkad, Kerala, India
- Rev. Fr. Matthew VanSmoorenburg, LC — Spiritual Director; pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator, Cumming, GA; member of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi territorial councils for North America
- Rev. Fr. John Matejek — blessed and dedicated the Intercession Center in July 2018
Anointing Fire Intercession Center
Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, the Anointing Fire Intercession Center is a place of intercessory prayer for the Universal Church and for world evangelization. Rev. Fr. John Matejek blessed the center and dedicated it for intercessory prayer in July 2018. St. Benedict is the patron saint of the Center, and the chapel on site is dedicated to Mother, Undoer of Knots.
- Located in the North Georgia mountains at 2205 Auraria Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Blessed and dedicated July 2018 by Rev. Fr. John Matejek
- Patron saint: St. Benedict
- Chapel dedicated to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots
Charismatic Prayer Service
Each Friday evening the Atlanta community gathers for an ecumenical-style Catholic charismatic prayer service including Holy Rosary, Praise and Worship, sharing of the Word of God, Adoration and intercession prayers. It is hosted at Saint Brendan's Catholic Church in Cumming and is open to all.
- Every Friday, 7:00 PM – 8:45 PM EST
- Saint Brendan's Catholic Church, 4633 Shiloh Rd, Cumming, GA 30040
- Holy Rosary, Praise and Worship, sharing of the Word of God, Adoration, Intercession prayers
Retreats and Healing Services
AFCM Atlanta hosts regular one-day retreats, charismatic healing services, Bible conventions and teen and youth retreats as part of its evangelization mission. The monthly One Day Retreat on the First Saturday is the flagship event, drawing families for a half-day of Mass, praise and worship, adoration, Eucharistic procession, confession and spiritual sharing.
- One Day Retreat — Every First Saturday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Includes Holy Mass, Praise & Worship, Adoration, Eucharistic Procession, Confession, Spiritual Sharing
- Charismatic Healing Services
- Bible Conventions
- Teen & Youth Retreats (Thunder of God)
Ministries & Outreach
Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry fields a number of coordinated apostolates covering intercession, media, evangelization, Bible distribution, outreach to the elderly and formation of youth. Volunteers are invited to get involved through each ministry, and prayer requests can be sent directly to the ministry's email address.
- Intercession Ministry — Intercessory prayer for families, the Church and world evangelization through Eucharistic adoration, Intercession Vigil, Rosary and Fasting
- Media Ministry — Evangelization through social media and online platforms
- Outreach Ministry — Visits to nursing homes and assisted-living places, leading worship and healing services for residents
- Bible Mission — Distributing Bibles of various languages
- Word of God Ministry — Including the weekly 'Abhishekagni' program in Malayalam on Shalom TV
- 'The Name of Jesus' — Distributing Fr. Xavier Khan Vattayil's prayer book 'The Power of the Name of Jesus'
- Anointing Fire Catholic Youth Ministry — Including 'Thunder of God' for teenagers and youth
- Preachers of Divine Mercy (PDM)
- Kingdom Revelator — Catholic evangelistic magazine for young people
Global Presence
AFCM started in India and today reaches across the globe, organized as a family of local prayer communities under each bishop's blessing. According to the ministry's own materials, AFCM communities are present in 42 U.S. states, Canada, 10 European countries, 8 Asian countries, Australia and South America.
- Founded in India
- 42 states in the United States
- Canada
- 10 countries in Europe
- 8 countries in Asia
- Australia and South America
Contact
The Anointing Fire Intercession Center's mailing address is 2205 Auraria Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533. The ministry can be reached by phone at (770) 765-8007 and by email at [email protected]. Prayer requests can also be mailed directly to that email address.
- Address: 2205 Auraria Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Phone: (770) 765-8007
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.afcmatlanta.org/