Priest's beat spreads Gospel through music
Inspirational speaker to draw on love, lead St. Maria Goretti Lenten Mission
February 7, 2008
WESTFIELD -- Stan Fortuna grew up in New York and
fell in love with playing and making music. That love grew along with a
desire to fulfill another calling and becoming a Catholic priest.
St.
Maria Goretti Catholic Church will welcome Fortuna Feb. 25-28 during
its annual Lenten Mission. The topic, Dare to Love, will center around
St. Paul, said Steve Miller, a deacon at St. Maria Goretti.
Fortuna will speak each night on topics related to St. Paul, the Corinthians and about love.
"He is a charismatic and inspirational speaker who knows how to draw people in," Miller said.
In
addition to leading the church's mission, Fortuna will also speak at
various schools in the area and at the Feb. 15-17 Destination Jesus
youth retreat at Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville. The
retreat is expected to gather 800 kids and 200 chaperones from around
the state for worship and fellowship.
Fortuna,
50, and his trio Scola Tristano, with veteran guitarist Peter Prisco
and guest percussionist Ricky "Bongo" Carthens, will play 6:30 and 8:30
p.m. shows at The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis on Feb. 20.
Not only is Fortuna a priest, but he is one of the eight original members of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
He
established the nonprofit organization Francesco Productions in 1987 as
a means to record and distribute music and video productions with all
proceeds going toward the community to work with the poor in the South
Bronx in New York.
Fortuna, who speaks and
plays music all over the world, visited Westfield before and is looking
forward to returning to Indiana, he said Saturday while waiting at the
Los Angeles airport to board a flight to Poland.
"It's
important for all of us with faith to have a deep connection with God
and his love," said Fortuna about the importance of attending a
mission. "Lent is a time of a season of grace for people to grow and
love."
