Staff

Father Joseph Fonti, S.T.L.
PASTOR
Ordained in 1992, Father Fonti was appointed Pastor of Saint Mel's in July 2019. Since ordination he has served as a parish priest, a high school chaplain, a seminary spiritual director, as the Director of the Office of Priestly Life and Ministry, as the Rector-President of Cathedral Prep School and Seminary, as the Associate Director of the Sacred Heart Institute, and as Pastor of Our Lady of Mt Carmel - Annunciation.

Father Italo Barozzi
IN RESIDENCE
Born in Northern Italy, Father Barozzi was ordained in December 1965. In his over 50 years of generous service to God's people living and worshiping in Brooklyn and Queens, he has primarily ministered to the Italian speaking community. He speaks fluent Spanish too! A senior priest, he continues to serve with the enthusiasm and energy of a newly ordained.

Monsignor Kevin B. Noone
IN RESIDENCE
Ordained May 30, 1970, Msgr. Noone has been a parish priest, a pastor, and an Episcopal Vicar for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Serving the Catholic faithful in Brooklyn and Queens for 50 Years , he has primarily ministered to the Italian and Hispanic speaking communities. Recently appointed the Pastor Emeritus of Our Lady of Angels parish, he comes to St. Mel to reside and to enjoy parish life without administration.

Joseph A. Freda
DEACON
Ordained in 2017, Deacon Joe was assigned to St. Mel’s, his home parish. He married Annette Occhiogrosso in May 1992. They have three children: Patricia, Joanna and Joseph Jr., all of whom graduated from Saint Mel’s School. A proud product of Catholic Education, Deacon Joe graduated from St. Luke's, St. Francis Prep and St. John’s University. Prior to Ordination, he served as a Lector, Extraordinary Minister and Director of Children’s Liturgy.

Ms. Paula Migliore
DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION
Paula feels blessed to have joined the parish of St. Mel in 2011. She oversees the Religious Ed Program, facilitates sacramental preparation, supports the RCIA program, has organized the young adults of the parish to participate in WYD pilgrimages and offers various faith formation opportunities for the parish throughout the year. Passionate about ministering to the marginalized, Paula also works with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in RVC.

Ms. Kelsey Sheldon

MUSIC DIRECTOR 

A graduate of Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, Kelsey has been working in sacred music settings as a Music Director since her graduation. Knowledgeable in the study of music, Kelsey passionately shares her gifts and talent as an organist, cellist, and vocalist.   

Amy Barron | M.A., M.S. in Education
PRINCIPAL, ST. MEL'S CATHOLIC ACADEMY
Amy Barron began her educational ministry at St. Brigid School (Brooklyn) as a middle school math and science teacher. She then served for 13 years as teacher, science department chairperson and assistant principal at St. Joseph High School (Brooklyn), while earning a master’s degree in educational administration from Fordham University. She was appointed principal of St. Mel’s Catholic academy in August 2019.

Dominick Yezzo | Esq.

Board Chair, ST. MEL'S CATHOLIC ACADEMY