Joseph Anthony Sanches was ordained a priest March 7 for the service of the Church in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan celebrated the ordination ceremony at the Church of the Guardian Angel, the parish church of the Sanches family, in Allendale, New Jersey.

Rev. Eugene A. Walsh, S.S., rector of the Theological College of Catholic University where Father Sanches is completing his studies, presented Father Sanches for ordination. Rev. Joseph C. Stockhammer, pastor of the parish, assisted the archbishop. Father Jerry E. Hardy served as master of ceremonies.

Father Sanches, a thirty-year-old native of New York City, entered the archdiocese as a student in August, 1963. He completed his college studies at St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland and St. Mary’s College, Baltimore, Maryland. After graduation from St. Mary’s, Father Sanches entered Theological College at Catholic University of America.

While at Theological College, where he will remain until the end of the year, Father Sanches distinguished himself with outstanding academic achievement. In addition he was also instrumental in the design and development of the college’s pastoral training program.

His contribution in this latter area has been so significant that the faculty of the college requested that he be allowed to remain an extra year at the institution to complete the development of the program. Archbishop Donnellan granted the request and Father Sanches will begin his ministry in Atlanta after the year is completed.

In his homily at ordination, Archbishop Donnellan quoted from St. Paul’s letter to the Philipans and went on to comment on Paul’s message:

“Today, your ordination, through me, your bishop, God has spoken the Creative Word that makes you a priest. Today, your ordination day, my thoughts parallel the sentiments of Saint Paul. I, too, thank God for the thought of you, God’s newest priest, for I know a deep and pervading joy that you shall be associated with me in spreading the Gospel of Christ.” “You have become a priest in disturbing and challenging times. But all times are God’s and all times are good, and all times need good priests. You are to be the priest servant of the people of God, and especially of the poor, in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Nor will you serve alone. You and your bishop, and your brother priests from one presbytery. It is a godly company. Atlanta has a tradition of good priests. You will find their fraternity a help to your own ministry and, in that ministry, a help to your own sanctity.”

“Lumen Gentium sums up our attitude this blessed morning in these words: ‘relying on the power of Almighty God, and believing in Christ who called them to share in His priesthood, they should devote themselves to their ministry with complete trust, knowing that God can intensify in them the ability to love.’”

Music for the ceremony was prepared by students from Theological College. Rev. Mr. Philip M. Colver served as deacon, and other members of the college faculty were concelebrants at the Mass.