The home of the Legionaries of Christ’s community in Cumming sustained a direct hit by a lightning during severe storms Sunday morning and was destroyed.
Most of the community’s 12 priests and missionaries were away at the time. The four priests who were home escaped safely.
Fr. Scott Reilly, LC, Associate Pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, was one of the priests at home at the time of the fire. He says that when another priest saw a glow in the ceiling after the lightning strike, they realized the house was on fire, called 911, and got everyone out. The Forsyth County Fire Department arrived and began to attack the flames but the fire grew out of control, and the firefighters were forced to exit the house.
Although the home was insured, the community is facing many upfront and long-term expenses that will not be covered as they recover from this situation and make plans to rebuild—all while continuing to serve in ministry at Pinecrest Academy, St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, and across the Atlanta area. You can learn more about the ministry of the Legionaries of Christ in the Atlanta area here.
A GoFundMe account has been organized to help with the needs and expenses they are facing. Click GoFundMe to make a donation.