‘Sharing our unique calling as priests’

(Photos by Jacob Wiegand | jacobwiegand@aarchstl.org) Father Mitch Doyen, left, took a picture of Father Gary Braun, center, and Father Michael Henning during a welcome gathering for the Archdiocese of St. Louis Priests’ Convocation on Oct. 5 at The Lodge of Four Seasons at Lake of the Ozarks. The gathering of priests, which took place Oct. 5-9, included time for prayer, Mass, study and fraternity.

Priests of the Archdiocese of St. Louis gathered for prayer, Mass, study and fraternity

Jacob Wiegand

Submitted on October 7, 2026

Priests from around the Archdiocese of St. Louis converged at Lake of the Ozarks from Oct. 5-9 for the Priests’ Convocation.

The gathering included time for them to come together in prayer, Mass, study and fraternity.

Father Peter Fonseca, director of Continuing Formation for Priests, helped coordinate the gathering.

“It’s an opportunity for us to step away from day-to-day life to be together as a presbyterate,” Father Fonseca said.

Convocation takes place every four years and this year was held at The Lodge of Four Seasons at Lake of the Ozarks.

“It’s a chance just for the priests to be together, surrounded by our bishop, sharing our unique calling as priests to further our love with the Lord, our love for each other and then to be prepared to address life in ministry wherever that ministry is for us as priests back in St. Louis,” Father Fonseca said.