On Sunday, more than 100 members of the Marist family and friends gathered at the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Father Richard LaMorte’s priesthood with a special Mass and banquet. During the liturgy, Br. Dan O’Riordan unveiled a new plaque dedicating the MBCE chapel to Fr. LaMorte in recognition of his many years of faithful service to the Marist mission as a Marist Brothers Affiliate and his enduring presence at Esopus.
For decades, Fr. LaMorte has been a beloved companion to generations of Marists, offering spiritual guidance, friendship, and pastoral care to countless young people, Brothers, and lay Marists. His generosity, humility, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel have left a lasting mark on the Marist community. The dedication of the chapel serves as a fitting tribute to a man whose ministry has helped make MBCE a place of welcome, prayer, and encounter for so many.
The celebration was made even more memorable by the incredible group of young volunteers from Mount Saint Michael Academy, Fr. LaMorte’s alma mater, whose generosity and hard work helped make the day a tremendous success.
