By Mary Beth Marino

Emotions gripped the scene Saturday as two deacons were ordained to the priesthood.

Father James Murray, 26, expressed quiet relief that the big day finally arrived. The young priest was born in Detroit, Michigan, but grew up in Atlanta. Christ the King Cathedral was his parish as a youth, so his apparent comfort of being on familiar turf was obvious. Standing on the “priestly” side of the altar he displayed significant joy as the newly ordained priests concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan.

Father Albert Jowdy, 27, showed visible excitement as he “lived” each special moment of his ordination. Father Jowdy was born in New Bern, N.C. but later moved to Athens. His home parish was St. Joseph’s and he contends the parish was instrumental in his decision to become a priest.

In witnessing the ordination, the choir sang, the trumpets blew, and the occasion was joyous. Thirty fellow priests concelebrated the Mass. Approximately 50 priests participated from the pews. The cluster of priests showed clearly that each “brother” was supporting these two young deacons as they made their final vows to the priesthood.

Another emotion-packed event was witnessing Fathers Jowdy and Murray bestow their first blessing on a kneeling Archbishop Donnellan. This was followed with the new priests giving their first public blessing to their families. After the ceremony, many of the priests attending the ordination asked for blessings from the two priests and customarily kissed the hand of the newly ordained priests.

Clergy, friends, relatives and other well-wishers shared in the momentous event.

Father James Murray celebrated his first Mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, June 3, at 2:30 p.m.

Father James Murray is assigned as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Church, Atlanta.

Father Albert Jowdy is assigned to All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody.

Both appointments are effective, Thursday, June 21.

Four other deacons will be ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese this month. Three of those to be ordained will come to Atlanta from Ireland.