New career. New home. New friends. All of those statements apply to the new associate pastor for the Ironton Catholic community.

The Rev. Anthony Batt began his new assignment in Ironton July 1, assisting the Rev. Thomas Nau.

A native of Defiance, the 55-year-old Batt spent most of his adulthood wearing the proverbial blue collar before exchanging it for the clerical one. "I was working in a factory and I got tired of making things and I wanted to help people," Batt said. "That was my calling."

After attending Franciscan University of Steubenville and Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Batt was ordained June 12 in Steubenville and then was sent to Ironton.

"I think it's a nice place to live. I enjoy the people," he said. "They're really friendly, probably a part of that southern hospitality. I can tell they're hard working and faith-filled."