Pastoral Leadership
Fr. Alberto Esposito
Pastor
e. Email Fr. Al
p. 352.332.6279 Ext. 112
Father Al was born in his beloved Brooklyn, New York in 1963. His father Louis Henry was a veteran of World War Two and the Korean War, receiving a Purple Heart in 1950. His mother, Anna Palombo, was a dressmaker and seamstress as well as a good pianist. At the age of nine, Father Al began studying the violin, a pursuit that soon developed into a great passion. After graduating from Saint Francis Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, he studied music at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, receiving his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati and his Master of Music degree from Yale University.
Throughout his career as a professional musician, Father Al kept close ties with his local parishes, and before long the lure of being a diocesan priest became very strong. He entered Saint Vincent the Paul Regional Seminary in 1995, as a seminarian for the Diocese of Saint Augustine. He was ordained a priest in 2001 by Bishop John J. Snyder. Father Al’s first assignment as a parish priest was right here at Queen of Peace Catholic Community, beginning in June of 2001. Until this day, he considers Father Jeff McGowan a real inspiration and priestly mentor, especially in terms of living and preaching Stewardship as a Way of Life. After Queen of Peace, Father Al served as a Parochial Vicar at San Jose Parish in Jacksonville, Florida and as Pastor at Santa Maria del Mar in Flagler Beach.
He continues to have a very close bond with the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Nebraska, community of priests, religious and lay people who are dedicated to the spiritual formation of diocesan priests. The motto of the Institute, known as IPF, is “cultivating interiority for the sake of mission.” Father Al has a keen interest in incorporating the teaching of the great Christian mystics into the ordinary ups and down of everyday life.
In addition to his love for the mystical tradition of the Church, Father Al is an avid fan of the New York Yankees. He also enjoys visiting his family, both in the New York/New Jersey area and around the city of Naples, Italy.
Fr. Figi Philip George, CMI,
Parochial Vicar
e. Email Fr. Figi
p. 352.332.6279 Ext. 112
Fr. Figi was born as the third son of N.J. Varkey and Thresiama in Parathodu, Kerala, India on September 21st 1974. Fr. Philip has 2 brothers and 2 sisters. His father left for his heavenly home on February 18, 2019. His mother is in good health. His youngest sister is a Carmelite nun, pursuing her PhD in Biotechnology in Lucknow, India. His eldest brother is a Mechanical Engineering Manager in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Fr. Figi entered the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate Order (CMI) on March 19, 1995. As a young boy, he had an earnest desire to become a priest and serve the people of God. He was ordained a priest on December 31st, 2006.
Fr. Figi has Bachelor Degrees in Philosophy, Theology, Education and a Master Degree of Science (Physics) from Christ College, Bangalore University, India. He has served as Principal at various Higher Secondary Schools at Theni, Pala, Amanakara and Koothattukulam, Kerala. He has also worked as a Pastoral Associate at St. Pius Chapel, Amanakara, and St. John the Baptist Church Vadakara, all in India.
Fr. Figi joins Queen of Peace after serving as Parochial Vicar of Holy Faith Catholic Church, Gainesville during the spring of 2021.
Fr. Joseph Emmanuel Simon dos Santos
Parochial Vicar
e. Email Fr. Joseph
p. 352.332.6279 Ext. 112
Fr. Joseph is the youngest of three children born in Portugal, to Manuel and Maria Preciosa. When he was a child, his family came to the United States and settled in Newark, NJ where they lived a very active life in their parish, Our Lady of Fatima Church.
After graduation, Fr. Joseph returned to Portugal to study Music at the Conservatory of Coimbra. After the conservatory, he returned to the United States. After a 15 year career with Bell Atlantic, which became Verizon, Fr. Joseph sensed a calling. He credits the influence and guidance of a United States Military Chaplain, Fr. Peter Michael Uhde, as being instrumental in his discernment of a vocation to the priesthood. After Immaculate Conception Major Seminary, he earned a Masters of Divinity from Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ) and has also participated in the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University (Omaha, NE).
Father Joseph was ordained a priest on May 29, 2010 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ by Archbishop John Joseph Myers. Since then, he has served at St. Cecilia and Our Lady of Fatima Parishes in Elizabeth, NJ and Newark, NJ. He served as Director of the Portuguese Language Apostolate.
He credits his family’s active involvement in their home parish and community with his becoming a dancer and performer with the Portuguese Folk Ensemble. He is fluent in English, Portuguese and Castilian Spanish and is able to communicate in French and Italian. He enjoys all kinds of music, and reading and writing are his favorite pastimes.
Sr. Beatrice Caulson, IHM
Director of Religious Education, Adult Formation and RCIA
e. Email Sr. Bea
p. 352-448-4542
