History, Ongoing Events and Calendar of Events to Come

History

June 12, 2003
Incorporation of The Stella Maris Center as a non-profit organization in the State of Georgia.

September 2003
The Stella Maris Institute of Catholic Studies begins hosting the Cathedral Sunday Bible Study.

February 29, 2004
Showing of the film The Passion of the Christ, followed by lecture and discussion on the Catholic sources of the film.

April 7, 2004
Determination that the Center qualifies as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization by the IRS.

April 16, 2004
Tribunal of the Diocese of Savannah accepts sworn testimony of the historical commission for the Cause of Canonization of the Georgia martyrs [www.georgiamartyrs.org].

May 2004
Room remodeling begins for the Stella Maris Catholic Reading Room at the parish center of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

September 14, 2004
Anniversary of Fray Pedro de Corpa, the first of the Georgia martyrs to die (1597); establishment of The Friends of the Georgia Martyrs [www.PaulThigpen.com/GeorgiaMartyrs] as a Catholic association to promote the cause of their canonization.

September 29, 2004
The Center begins a new Bible study for students at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Ongoing Events

Sunday mornings, 8:45 to 9:45, September through May
Cathedral Sunday Bible Study in the Cathedral parish center, corner of Abercorn and Harris Streets on Lafayette Square. Sponsored by The Stella Maris Center; discussion led by Dr. Paul Thigpen.

Wednesday evenings at 9:00 p.m., during school terms
Bible study for students of the Savannah College of Art and Design; other college students welcome. Cathedral parish center, corner of Abercorn and Harris Streets on Lafayette Square. Sponsored by The Stella Maris Center; discussion led by Dr. Paul Thigpen.

Calendar of Events to Come

October 2004
Showing of the film Thérèse, followed by lecture and discussion.

November 2004
Publication of the first issue of The Palmetto, the newsletter of the Friends of the Georgia Martyrs.

January 2005
Opening of the Stella Maris Catholic Reading Room and formation of Catholic reading and film circles.

Summer 2005
First theology courses to be offered by the Center for college credit in a small seminar setting. Offered by the Stella Maris Institute for Catholic Studies as an extension campus of The College of Saint Thomas More [www.cstm.edu], Ft. Worth, Texas.

Summer 2007?
Opening of the Georgia Martyrs Catholic Heritage Museum and Savannah Catholic Heritage Tours.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Paul Thigpen
Executive Director
The Stella Maris Center for Faith and Culture
POB 30157
Savannah, GA 31410
Phone/fax: 912-898-7991
stellamariscenter@comcast.net