Mother Teresa honored at special Atlanta service

ATLANTA - Hundreds of faithful filled the pews of an Atlanta church to honor the life of Mother Teresa the same day she was named a saint by the Catholic Church.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus hosted the special service and a large part of the homily revolved around Mother Teresa's visit to the church back in 1995.

"It was probably the biggest challenge that I had faced as priest," recalled Monsignor Steve Churchwell, who was the pastor at the basilica at the time.

He said he had only 10 days notice to prepare for the visit and make sure things went off without a hitch.

"In 1996 this place was ground zero during the Olympics, but her visit was a bigger challenge," said Churchwell. 

Monsignor Churchwell said his time with Mother Teresa was limited, but she still made a tremendous impact on him.

"She radiated authenticity and integrity and I think those were the things that struck me the most about her," he said.  "She was who she was.  She said what she meant and meant what she said."

Shelly Steele of Roswell attended Sunday's service with a friend and said she felt called to recognize Mother Teresa for all her contributions to the sick and the poor.

"I wanted to honor her in all that she did in the world--her unconditional love for everyone and selflessness is just something that I want to carry in my heart forever," Steele shared. 

Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity and the group will host a Mass of Thanksgiving for the newly-named saint Monday at the Cathedral of Christ the King beginning around noon.