Diocesan News

Only In Print: Convocation Speakers Cite ‘Priestly Fraternity’ as Pivotal Topic

October 4, 2022
By
Msgr. James Shea, the convocation’s keynote speaker, is the president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, a school that strives to keep its tuition affordable. The current tuition is $19,000 a year. (Photo: Courtesy of University of Mary)

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. — Father Joseph Fonti, pastor of the Church of St. Mel in Whitestone, said he is lucky to count among his friends several of his fellow priests. But finding the time to get together — even for something as simple as dinner — isn’t always easy because of their busy priestly schedules.

“Our weekends are not our own. And during the week, my days off might not be my friends’ days off,” Father Fonti said. “It demands effort on our part to maintain friendships.”

But fostering and maintaining friendships is important for priests…

The rest of this article can be found exclusively in the Oct. 7 printed version of The Tablet. You can buy it at church for $1, or you can receive future editions of the paper in your mailbox at a discounted rate by subscribing here. Thank you for supporting Catholic journalism.