BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

MARIETTA--Though Lent was not over, a period of preparation ended March 30 for Rev. Mr. Joseph Morris. After years of prayer, discernment and study he was ordained to the priesthood at the Church of the Transfiguration by Archbishop John F. Donoghue.

Rev. Mr. Morris followed a cross draped in Lenten purple down the central aisle of the church as the Mass of ordination began. Over 1,000 parishioners filled the church beyond capacity as they witnessed the ordination of the seminarian they have known and helped nurture during the past year.

"This is a family celebration," said Transfiguration parishioner Nancy Heflin. "Joseph has been a member of our family ever since he arrived. Today he is becoming a priest. It is a special day for all of us."

The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. Donald Kenny, archdiocesan director of vocations, Father Pat Bishop, pastor, and six priests of the archdiocese.

The rite of ordination began with the presentation of the candidate by Msgr. Kenny, his acceptance by the archbishop, and finally the consent of the people, which was expressed with such thunderous applause that Rev. Mr. Morris was moved to tears. He took his place on the altar where he sat wiping back tears as he listened to Archbishop Donoghue's homily.

The archbishop told the congregation that this was a day of rejoicing for all who knew Rev. Mr. Morris. "It is a normal thing. . .to note with interest the career choices of those whom we care about," the archbishop said, "but it is a special feeling that comes from within when we discover that a son or a brother, a friend or a colleague, has heard the call and intends to become a priest. We think of these men not just as a priest, but as our priest--and just by knowing this ordained person we feel perhaps a little safer, a little more protected in this world which can be so savage to the souls of persons, and so cynical about hopes and ideals."

The archbishop said that the priesthood was instituted by Christ for "our comfort and needs" and that the priest preaches Jesus Christ, setting aside his own self-interest in favor of the Gospel of Christ. "What strength there is for us in knowing that we can trust the Holy Spirit of God to send us shepherds who will come with the words of truth in their mouths and the conviction of a vocation--a vocation to bring these words of truth to life for all the men and women who make up the community of Jesus Christ, which is the Church."

Quoting the prophet Jeremiah, the archbishop said that nothing can be a barrier to proclaiming the Good News of Christ. "For those whom God calls, there is no excuse and no turning back," he said.

The archbishop reminded Rev. Mr. Morris that the priesthood is forever linked to the Eucharist. "From this day on your life will be caught up in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, realized above all in the eucharistic sacrifice, which will be your privilege and sacred duty to perform faithfully from now on," he said. "This duty will remain the central act of your life, until that time when nature shall take its course, and your priestly duties will be exchanged for a heavenly reward: an eternal banquet at which the High Priest, Jesus Christ, will preside in glory."

The rite of ordination then continued as the candidate promised his obedience to the archbishop and his successors and prostrated himself while the Transfiguration community invoked the prayers of the saints. When the singing of the litany ended, Rev. Mr. Morris returned to his feet, leaving the tile wet with tears, and knelt before the archbishop.

Archbishop Donoghue laid his hands on the head of the candidate and the other priests did the same. Father Bishop gave his new parochial vicar a bear hug that lifted him from the floor and then rubbed his head, like a father to a son.

Following a prayer of consecration the new priest was vested in stole and chasuble. Father Morris was helped into his vestments by his godparents, Jim and Bobbye Kelly, and Father Bishop. At the conclusion of the vesting Father Bishop and Father Morris shared a high-five to the delight of the congregation.

"Father Pat does that with all the kids in the parish," said Darlene Barnes. "Joseph has been one of Father Pat's kids ever since he arrived. If you looked at Father Pat he had the proud papa look throughout the ordination Mass. When they did that it was as if he was saying to Joseph, 'You did it! I'm proud of you.'"

The archbishop then anointed the palms of the new priest with holy oil as Father Morris knelt before him.

At the conclusion of the ordination rite sustained applause followed the archbishop's embrace of his newest priest.

During the offertory procession the gifts were brought to the altar by Peggy Ritz, sister of Father Morris, and members of her family. Father Morris blessed friends and family members as they stood before him to receive the Eucharist.

Before the final blessing Father Bishop addressed the archbishop with words of gratitude.

"Thank you for giving us a priest of the archdiocese," he said. "Thank you for giving us a parochial vicar at Transfiguration. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for Joseph."

After the celebration the new priest gave first blessings, bear hugs and a few more high-fives to those who had attended his ordination. Father Morris' family stood behind the crowds in amazement and delight as hundreds sought out the newly ordained priest.

"The support Joseph has received has been unbelievable," said Peggy Ritz. "My brother is truly where he needs to be. He is going to be a great priest, and we can see that his new family loves him dearly."

Transfiguration Parish is the place where Father Morris, 40, served his first pastoral internship for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. His duties have included marriage preparation and adult education. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Father Morris earned a master of divinity degree at Catholic Theological Union in June 1995.

Father Morris celebrated his first Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration Palm Sunday, March 31 and will be assigned there as a parochial vicar.

"We are very blessed to have him," Mrs. Barnes said. "He is a wonderful person who is inspiring to children as well as adults. He has genuine concern and warmth toward every member of our parish community. Even though he hasn't been with us very long, he is a valued member of our family."