How do we spread the Good News? By voice? Yes. By printed word? Yes. And, perhaps, by music that touches the heart. Meet Father Alberto Esposito. Even if you've known Alberto for only a short time, you'll soon discover that music and his violin are his heavenly connection. “Music has allowed me to open my mind and heart to the church, he said.  In addition, music has connected him to others and in turn, connected them to the “Mystery.” “Music seems to cut through, to make a direct line to peoples’ hearts, he said.

   The son of Louis Henry and Anna P. Esposito, Alberto grew up in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, N.Y. His father, Louis, served in the United States Army and then worked for the Food and Drug Administration.  His mother, Anna, was an expert dress designer and seamstress.  At the age of 9, Father Al began to study the violin, which was to become his passion.  After graduating from St. Francis Xavier Jesuit High School, Father Al pursued his Bachelor's at the University of Cincinnati and his Master's at Yale University.  While at Yale, he studied the violin with Ms. Syoko Aki and orchestral conducting with Otto Werner-Mueller.  Both these teachers contributed considerably to Father Al's musical and human formation. Afterwards he played in orchestras throughout the New Haven, Conn., area and conducted a youth orchestra.
   When his parents moved from Brooklyn to the St. Augustine area, Alberto joined them. And, for a time, he served in music ministries at Holy Family and Prince of Peace parishes in Jacksonville. After several years of working as a professional performing musician and teacher, Father Al applied as a candidate for the priesthood in the Diocese of St. Augustine. With the support and guidance of Bishop John Snyder and, our former pastor, Father John Tetlow, Father Al entered St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and began his pre-theology studies in August of 1995. In 2000, Father received his Master of Arts Degree in Sacred Theology and his Master of Divinity Degree in 2001 when he delivered an address entitled “The Role of Madness in the Life of the Christian.”
   As the time for ordination draws near, Alberto said he has been preparing for Holy Orders by developing an attitude of openness to discover the presence of God in sometimes surprising and unexpected places and by developing more of an attitude that pays attention to those who are poor. “It’s very important in my priesthood to maintain concrete ties to those who are poor and broken,” he said. “They are sacraments — signs of the the in-breaking kingdom.”
   He's also been striving to integrate his priestly life with his prayer life. “Prayer becomes the place where all aspects of ministerial life are reviewed and discussed with God,” Alberto said. “Sometimes it brings peace and sometimes, it's a struggle.”
   When he begins to live out his life as a priest, he wants to sure to set aside a certain part of his day for prayer. “It’s easy to get lost in work and that's my greatest fear,” he said. “We can be swallowed by up sheer busyness. We all need to carve out some space to find that silent time with God.”
   Alberto Esposito was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 2000, by Bishop John J. Snyder at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Augustine. He was appointed Parochial Vicar at Queen of Peace Parish (http://www.queenofpeaceparish.org/) in Gainesville, FL, where he had the privilege of working with his friend and mentor, Fr. Jeff McGowan. In February 2005, he was transferred to San Jose Catholic Church in Jacksonville where he ministered to the needs of a large Latino community. In his pastoral work at San José Parish (http://www.sjcatholic.org/), Jacksonville, Fr. Al Esposito has encountered many couples preparing to be married but failing to prepare for managing their finances afterward. That is why he has introduced a new program to parishioners that will help them succeed with money matters. St. Augustine Catholic, October 2006. See: Road to Financial Freedom by Doug Filaroski at http://www.staugcatholic.org/archives/html/2006/october/home.shtml
   He was appointed pastor of Santa Maria del Mar effective July 1st, 2008. His beautiful mother and computer wiz, Mamma Anna, is living with him at the rectory, thanks to the gracious permission of Bishop Galeone.

Welcoming party for Fr. Al Esposito     Fr. Alberto Esposito was officially installed Pastor of Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church by the Very Reverend Victor Galeone, Bishop of St. Augustine on September 21, 2008. Installation of Fr. Alberto Esposito as Pastor    In addition to his service to the diocese as a parish priest, Father Al is a member of the Institute for Priestly Formation, a national organization dedicated to the spiritual formation of seminarians and priests. Fr. Al is also a Priest Representative for Group I (Ordained 1-15 years), Diocese of St. Augustine's Presbyteral Council (priests’ council), and the Council's Secretary. See: http://www.dosafl.com/index.php?page=leadership/presbyteral_council
   In January 2002, Father Al joined the Knights of Columbus, made his second degree in September of the same year, third degree in June of 2004 and on July 14, 2008, he made his fourth degree, here at Santa Maria del Mar.

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Picture and web page by Chau Phan

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