About St. Clare of Assisi · Acworth, Georgia
St. Clare of Assisi is a Roman Catholic parish in Acworth, Georgia, part of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Formally established by decree of Archbishop Wilton Gregory on November 20, 2014 under the founding guidance of Fr. Mark Starr, it serves the growing Catholic community of north Cobb County from its property at 6301 Cedarcrest Road, where a 46-acre campus is being developed for a future church and facilities. The parish currently celebrates Mass in English and Spanish and runs a full slate of faith formation, youth ministry, RCIA/OCIA, liturgical music, and outreach programs. The parish describes itself as a place 'to believe, belong, and become,' inviting everyone — no matter where they are in their spiritual life — to take part.
- Established
- 2014
- Patron
- St. Clare of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. Tim Nadolski
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
St. Clare of Assisi offers a warm, bilingual Catholic community in the heart of Acworth with weekly Mass in both English and Spanish, daily Mass four mornings a week, and a robust schedule of Confession and perpetual Adoration supported by 'Faithful Adorer' volunteers. The parish invests deeply in the next generation through Family Catechesis, a middle- and high-school Youth Ministry that meets Sunday nights, and a formal OCIA (formerly RCIA) process leading to full initiation at the Easter Vigil. Add adult Bible study and faith formation, active liturgical music, pastoral staff for parish and community relations, and a 46-acre campus being prepared for a permanent church — and St. Clare is a place where newcomers and longtime Catholics alike can truly 'believe, belong, and become.'
Mass times at St. Clare of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Thursday: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Adoration times
- 9:30 a.m. Monday through 9:00 a.m. Wednesday (perpetual Adoration; Faithful Adorers can be scheduled overnight — church doors lock after 8:00 p.m. and the chapel is open to scheduled adorers only from 8:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.)
Parish History
St. Clare of Assisi Parish was formally established by decree of Archbishop Wilton Gregory on November 20, 2014 in Acworth, GA under the guidance and spiritual leadership of Fr. Mark Starr. As a growing community of believers in the Acworth area, there were many people looking for a Catholic church closer to home. After many petitions and letters were sent to the bishop and after much prayer, the new parish was born.
- First Sunday Masses celebrated at North Cobb High School auditorium on September 14, 2014
- Saturday Vigil Masses moved to St. Theresa Episcopal Church (Mars Hill Road) in January 2015
- Sunday Masses relocated to Barber Middle School in June 2016 after a parish novena to St. Anthony
- In December 2014, the Archdiocese of Atlanta purchased 46 acres and a house on Cedarcrest Road as the future permanent home of the parish
- The house on the property currently serves as the rectory at 6301 Cedarcrest Road
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Fr. Tim Nadolski, who grew up in Sandy Springs and attended St. Jude and St. Pius X before entering the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH. He was ordained in June 2015 and began his first pastorate at St. Clare after serving as a parochial vicar at St. Joseph in Dalton and St. Joseph in Athens. Fr. Bradley Starr serves as Parochial Vicar while pursuing canon law studies remotely through St. Paul's University in Ottawa.
- Fr. Tim Nadolski — Pastor
- Fr. Bradley Starr — Parochial Vicar
- Kate Curran — Director of Faith Formation
- Susan Baker — Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
- Kristi Mickwee — Faith and Family Life Coordinator
- Megan Buckley — Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation
- Lizeth Cortes — Faith Formation Office Administrator
- Christie Sandwich — Assistant Faith & Family Life Coordinator
- Tony Ramirez — Director of Liturgical Music
- Tony Waite — Praise Band Director
- Vince Evans — Organist
- Chris Wood — Hispanic Band Director
- Cheryl Base — Office Manager
- Yohanna Holcomb — Parish Secretary
- Nicole Sandercock — Administrative Assistant
- Beth Mulqueen — Coordinator of Parish & Community Relations
- Jessica Mirth — Bookkeeper & Safe Environment Coordinator
- Amelia Kuhlken — Facilities Manager
- Bridget Marnell — Communications Coordinator
Faith Formation
As the parish where 'faith and family come together,' St. Clare is committed to providing opportunities for parishioners of all ages to discover and be formed in the Catholic faith. The Office of Faith Formation oversees youth catechesis, adult catechesis, sacramental preparation, and youth ministry.
- Family Catechesis
- Adult Faith Formation
- Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion)
- Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
- Youth Ministry
Becoming Catholic — OCIA (RCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) offers faith formation, discipleship and fellowship for adults 16 and older that prepares them for full initiation into the Catholic Church at Easter. The journey begins each fall and culminates in the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter Vigil. OCIA welcomes adults baptized Catholic but never confirmed, those baptized in other Christian traditions, and those never baptized.
- 7–8 month program beginning each fall
- Catholics-in-good-standing may serve as RCIA Sponsors
- Already-Catholics seeking Confirmation are also welcome to attend
- Contact: [email protected]
- Coordinator: Megan Buckley, Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation
Youth Ministry
St. Clare of Assisi's Youth Group exists to awaken and ignite a generation of middle and high school students to come to know, love and serve Christ and His Church. Youth Nights offer students the opportunity to explore their faith, ask tough questions, build relationships, and encounter the joy of the Catholic Church.
- Gathers Sundays after the 5:00 p.m. Holy Mass, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
- Open to middle and high school students
- Directed by Susan Baker, Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Adult Faith Formation
Adult faith offerings at St. Clare include Bible studies, women's groups, Divine Mercy sessions, and an expanding list of catechetical opportunities coordinated by Megan Buckley, Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation.
- Bible study
- Gospel sessions
- Women's ministry
- Divine Mercy devotion sessions
Liturgical Music & Worship
Music at St. Clare is led by a dedicated team of directors and musicians serving both the English and Hispanic communities. The parish currently runs a traditional liturgical music program, a praise band, and a Hispanic band — reflecting the bilingual character of the parish.
- Tony Ramirez — Director of Liturgical Music
- Tony Waite — Praise Band Director
- Vince Evans — Organist
- Chris Wood — Hispanic Band Director
- Homilies and other videos published on the parish YouTube channel
Parish Life & Outreach
Community building is central to St. Clare's identity. The parish describes itself as 'a place to believe, belong, and become,' and its Fellowship Ministry helps parishioners connect socially and spiritually. Pastoral staff dedicated to Parish & Community Relations (Beth Mulqueen) keep the parish actively engaged with both its members and the broader Acworth community. Safe Environment coordination is overseen by Jessica Mirth as Bookkeeper & Safe Environment Coordinator.
- Fellowship Ministry
- Parish & Community Relations Coordinator (Beth Mulqueen)
- Safe Environment program
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sacramental Emergency line: 770-421-5227
Campus & Future Plans
The parish operates from 6301 Cedarcrest Road in Acworth, GA — a 46-acre site acquired by the Archdiocese of Atlanta in December 2014. The existing house on the property currently functions as the rectory, while plans anticipate construction of the future church and parish facilities on the larger grounds. A Capital Campaign 2025 is referenced on the parish website.
- 46-acre property at 6301 Cedarcrest Road, Acworth, GA 30101
- Existing residence serves as the rectory
- Future church and facilities anticipated on the Cedarcrest Road campus
- Capital Campaign 2025 referenced on parish site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Mark Starr2014–founding
Founding pastor under whose spiritual leadership the parish was established by decree of Archbishop Wilton Gregory on November 20, 2014.
- Fr. Tim NadolskiCurrent
Current pastor; began his first pastorate at St. Clare after serving as parochial vicar at St. Joseph in Dalton and St. Joseph in Athens and as administrator of St. Toribio Romo in Chatsworth. Ordained June 2015.
- Fr. Bradley StarrCurrent
Parochial vicar; ordained in 2017; previously served at St. Patrick's, Good Shepherd (parochial vicar), and Good Samaritan (pastor). Pursuing canon law studies remotely at St. Paul's University in Ottawa.