Two priests who once helped lead the Archdiocese of New York returned to St. Joseph’s Seminary on Wednesday, Nov. 4, to be honored by their fellow alumni. Bishop Dennis Sullivan, ‘71, and Msgr. Joseph P. LaMorte, ‘81, both former vicars general of the archdiocese, were the honorees at the annual gathering of its priests. Both are recently retired, Bishop Sullivan after 12 years as Bishop of Camden, and Msgr. LaMorte after nearly eight years as vicar general of the Archdiocese of New York. 

The evening began with Solemn Vespers in memory of St. Charles Borromeo, whose feast day it was, and seminary alumni who died during the past year. Archbishop Ronald Hicks led vespers and thanked his predecessor, Cardinal Dolan, who was in attendance; the two honorees; and the faculty, staff, and seminarians of St. Joseph’s Seminary. 

Archbishop honors seminary founder 

In Archbishop Hicks’ homily, he said to the congregation, “We start today and give a nod of gratitude to Saint Charles Borromeo. He is the founder, really, the creator of the modern seminary system. And he knew the importance in this system that not only are we trained to go out and to spread the good news of our Lord and Savior Christ, whose eternal life is given to us by his life, suffering, death, and resurrection. To love God, to love our neighbor, to minister well, to keep that mission of the seminary. But he also knew the seminary was the place where you are first grounded in prayer so that you can go out and minister in his name.” 

Fr. William Cleary has organized these annual events for the past few years and enjoys bringing the priests together again. “This current format has only been going on for maybe four or five years. But it’s still [priests] getting together for evening prayer, social hour, and then a nice dinner with a historian’s report and a few honors. So, we honor some guys that have made outstanding contributions. And also, the historian pokes a little fun at the seminary and the priesthood. So, it’s a nice night for us,” Fr. Cleary said. 

After vespers, the guests gathered in the halls, cloisters, and refectory of the campus to catch up. Dinner was held in the refectory, where the awards were presented and the “Historian’s Report” was delivered.