More than 2,000 people turned out earlier this month to watch the Diocese of Charlotte’s new bishop ordain seven new priests, including Matthew Harrison II of Salisbury, to help serve the growing diocese — one of the largest-ever classes of priests to be ordained at one time.

With tears, smiles and rousing applause, an overflow audience of family and friends welcomed the new “fathers” on Father’s Day weekend in a two-hour liturgy at St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, which featured a variety of dramatic moments.

All seven men laid prostrate on the floor before the altar as they surrendered their lives to Christ.

The also knelt before Bishop Michael Martin for the laying on of hands and to be anointed with holy oil.

In his homily, Bishop Martin urged the new priests to “err on the side of mercy” in their priesthood and he implored them not “to wait for the world to come to you — but to go out into the world and share the Good News.”

Joining Harrison, the other priests included: Matthew Dimock Jr., Indian Trail; Christian Goduti, Huntersville; Kevin Martinez and José Palma Torres, Asheboro; Elliott Suttle, Shelby; and Kevin Tran, Charlotte.