Father Ed Dolphin, C.S.C., celebrates Mass for first time at home parish, Holy Child in Wilmington — Photo gallery

Parishioners at Church of the Holy Child in Wilmington enjoyed an added blessing at the 4 p.m. Mass June 1 as one of their own celebrated Mass during his first return trip home since being ordained a priest in Indiana in April.

After nearly eight years of formation, Father Ed Dolphin, C.S.C., achieved his priestly ordination with the Congregation of the Holy Cross on April 6 at the Basilica of Sacred Heart on the campus of Notre Dame University in Indiana, in the shadow of Mary Atop the Golden Dome.

Father Dolphin lives in Indiana and made the visit back to his hometown church where he concelebrated Mass with Father Michael Carrier, pastor at Holy Child, at the regular Saturday evening Mass with members of the Dolphin family, friends and parishioners. The group included his parents, Jim and Tina, and sister, Lynn.

Father Dolphin, 37, grew up in Brandywine Hundred as a member of Church of the Holy Child. He attended St. Edmond’s Academy in north Wilmington. He went on to Archmere Academy and Drexel University before his calling to the priesthood.