Monsignor Edward J. Dodwell and Father Patrick C. Connell are observing the twenty-fifth anniversaries of their ordinations to the priesthood this week.

The jubilarians, both of whose years as priests include extensive service in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and in the old Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta, are celebrating Masses of Thanksgiving in the presence of priests from Atlanta and Savannah this morning in the chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Free Cancer Home in Atlanta. Fr. John Stapleton, pastor of St. Jude’s, Atlanta, is the preacher.

A jubilee dinner for priests, following the Mass, has Father R. Donald Kiernan, pastor of St. Michael’s, Gainesville, as toastmaster. Because of this special observance, the Corpus Christi procession at Our Lady’s Home will be held this afternoon at 4:45 p.m.

Next Sunday, the Feast of Our Lady Queen of the Universe, Msgr. Dodwell will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 12:15 p.m. Following the Mass there will be an informal reception in The Immaculate Hall from 1 to 2 p.m. to enable Monsignor’s friends among the laity to extend their best wishes.

Msgr. Dodwell is a native of Philadelphia and received his training for the priesthood at St. Charles Prep Seminary, Overbrook, at the North American College in Rome (with the Pontifical Atheneum of the Propaganda), and at St. Mary’s, Baltimore. He was ordained in 1939 in Philadelphia by the late Cardinal Dougherty and later received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Canon Law from the Catholic University of America.

Msgr. Dodwell’s first appointment in Georgia was as assistant to Fatherr Barr at St. Mary’s on the Hill, Augusta. He later served in Savannah, Savannah Beach and Port Wentworth, as administrator of St.Michael’s, Gainesville, and as Officialis of the Savannah-Atlanta Diocese. He was assigned to Immaculate Conception here in Atlanta until taking residence as chaplain at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Free Cancer Home.

Father Connell is a native of Rochester, NY and was educated in parochial schools in that city and at St. Andrew’s and St. Bernard’s Seminaries. He was ordained by Bishop Kearney in 1939 and his early priestly career included parish and Newman Club assignments in upstate New York.

Fr. Connell came to Georgia in 1946 and was attached to St. Patrick’s, Augusta, where he also taught at Boy’s Catholic High School and served as auxiliary chaplain at Fort Gordon. He then went to St. Mary’s, Rome as administrator and as Newman chaplain at Shorter College. Following an assignment as administrator of St. Peter’s, LaGrange, where he was also chaplain for the Warm Springs Polio Foundation, he came to Atlanta as resident chaplain of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Free Cancer Home.