About Holy Name of Jesus · Norcross, Georgia
Holy Name of Jesus Chinese Catholic Mission is a small Chinese-language Catholic mission of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, located in Norcross, Georgia. It serves the Chinese Catholic community of metropolitan Atlanta with Masses celebrated in both Chinese and English, sacramental preparation, and a rich program of faith formation, cultural activities, and fellowship. The community traces its roots to the Atlanta Chinese Catholic Association (ACCA), founded in 1990, and became the 11th mission of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 2015. Today it has grown to about 200 registered families and serves as a spiritual home where the grace of God is at work each day.
- Established
- 2015
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Bill Hao (administrator/chaplain)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
Holy Name of Jesus is a small but devoted Chinese Catholic mission where Sunday Mass is offered in both Chinese and English, weekly Bible studies are held in each language, and the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated monthly. The mission runs an OCIA (RCIA) process for adults, faith workshops, an adult Confirmation program, Sunday School for children, Chinese school, Tai-Chi and Cultural Dance classes, and a vibrant Chinese Cursillo Ultreya — making it both a place of prayer and a true community of fellowship for Chinese Catholics and anyone drawn to the mission.
Mass times at Holy Name of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only (contact the parish office or Fr. Bill Hao)
Adoration times
- First Sundays of the month after the 10:30 am Chinese Mass
- First Fridays after the 7:00 pm Mass
Our Story
The community traces its roots to the Atlanta Chinese Catholic Association (ACCA), founded in September 1990 by faithful Catholics from Taiwan and Southeast Asia, who initially gathered at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody for Mass every two months. As the community grew through the 1990s with members from Hong Kong and mainland China, Mass became weekly and Chinese-speaking priests were flown in from across the United States. In 2009 Father Bill Hao became the first archdiocesan priest to minister regularly to the Chinese community. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory formally established the mission on November 15, 2015; the community acquired its own church property on Light Circle in Norcross on August 30, 2016, celebrated its first Mass there on October 16, 2016, and the mission was dedicated by the archbishop on November 19, 2017.
- 1990 — ACCA founded; bimonthly Mass at All Saints, Dunwoody
- Mid-1990s — ~50 families; monthly Mass
- Late 1990s — ~100 families; weekly Mass with visiting Chinese-speaking priests
- 2009 — Father Bill Hao ordained; begins regular ministry to the Chinese community
- November 15, 2015 — Mission canonically erected by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory
- August 30, 2016 — Property at 5395 Light Circle acquired
- October 16, 2016 — First Mass celebrated at the mission
- November 19, 2017 — Formal dedication of the mission
Faith Formation & OCIA
Adults seeking to become Catholic, or baptized Catholics preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist, are invited into the parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program — sometimes still called RCIA. The parish walks inquirers through the four canonical periods: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy, with sponsors and liturgical rites at the appropriate seasons.
- Period of Inquiry — open to anyone curious about the Catholic faith
- Period of Catechumenate — enrollment, sponsor selection, weekly formation
- Rite of Welcome and Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
- Period of Purification and Enlightenment during Lent (Scrutinies, Rite of Election)
- Initiation at the Easter Vigil (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)
- Period of Mystagogy between Easter and Pentecost
Children's Sunday School
Children of the parish attend Sunday School after the 10:30 am Chinese Mass. Classes meet in the Nursery Room on the parish campus, and parents of registered students are welcome to sit in on classes. The program mirrors the family's bilingual liturgical life so children can grow alongside the wider Chinese and English-speaking community.
- Held after the 10:30 am Sunday Chinese Mass
- Location: Nursery Room
- Open to children of registered parish families
- Parents welcome to sit in on classes
Bible Study
Bible Study is offered in both languages so that the Chinese and English-speaking members of the parish can each deepen their familiarity with Scripture together. The Chinese study gathers midweek, while the English study meets twice a month on Mondays in the evening.
- Chinese Bible Study — Wednesdays 10:30 am
- English Bible Study — First and Third Mondays 6:30 pm
Cultural & Community Activities
Beyond Mass and sacraments, the mission runs a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational activities that reflect its identity as a Chinese Catholic community in metro Atlanta. Adult language classes, traditional exercise, and dance help pass on heritage, while the parish also hosts seasonal retreats and camps.
- Chinese School (language classes for adults) — Sundays 11:30 am (Choir Room)
- Chinese School Summer Session — begins May 31, 2026, Sundays 12:00–1:00 pm
- English Classes for adults (inquire via [email protected])
- Tai-Chi Classes — Sundays 11:30 am
- Cultural Dance Classes — Sundays 12:30 pm
- Chinese Cursillo Ultreya — Last Sundays after the 10:30 am Mass
- Faith Workshop — First Sundays after the 10:30 am Mass
- Adult Confirmation program
- Summer Camp — e.g., July 31–Aug 2, 2026 at Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Helen, GA
About the Archdiocese & Leadership
Holy Name of Jesus is one of the missions of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta and the first Chinese Catholic mission in the archdiocese. Its administrator, Father Bill Hao, is the first priest of Chinese descent ordained for the archdiocese; he also serves as a parochial vicar at St. Brigid Church. The community of about 200 registered families relies heavily on lay involvement — from answering phones and preparing a weekly community meal, to teaching religion and maintaining the six-acre property.
- Jurisdiction: Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta
- Established November 15, 2015 (11th mission of the archdiocese)
- Administrator/Chaplain: Father Bill Hao
- Founded property: former Baptist church, 5395 Light Circle NW, Norcross, GA 30071
- Approximately 200 registered families (2025)
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at the mission's six-acre property in Norcross. The parish office can be reached by phone or email, and Father Bill Hao can be contacted directly for sacramental needs, OCIA inquiries, or appointments for confession.
- Address: 5395 Light Circle NW, Norcross GA 30071
- Phone: 678-691-3261
- General email: [email protected]
- Father Bill Hao: [email protected]
- Website: https://hnojatl.org/en/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bill Hao2009–present
First archdiocesan priest of Chinese descent for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, born to Chinese parents in the Philippines. Began ministering to the Chinese community in 2009 and has remained the community's spiritual leader since the mission was established in 2015. Speaks five languages including two Chinese dialects; also serves as parochial vicar at St. Brigid Church.