Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary

Episode 29: Always Stay Open | Deacon Jorge Reyes, Archdiocese of Miami

October 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  17 mins 55 secs

boston, catholic, christian, priests, seminarians, seminary, vocation

Deacon Jorge Reyes has been a deacon since 2017. He is a mechanical engineer by trade and worked for over 30 years as a consultant in consulting engineering firms. He has two wonderful, faithful adult children who are twins and of whom he is very proud. He is scheduled, God willing, to be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Miami on May 10, 2025.

Episode 28: “Christ the Servant or Christ the Shepherd? | Deacon Brian Delaney

September 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  17 mins 55 secs

Deacon Brian Delaney of the Archdiocese of Boston is in his final year of formation at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. He sits down with Msgr. Bill Fay to discuss his personal vocation journey and how he came to understand God’s calling for him. Deacon Brian is a widower and was married 37 years. He has a wonderful daughter and granddaughter. He was very involved in his parish communities as a volunteer. He developed a comfort level being around parish life and that opened in him a desire to serve more. But how? Should he become a permanent deacon? A priest asked him one day, “do you want to be a deacon or a priest?” Brian decided to explore a definitive answer to that question. Hear how the “First Fridays” program at Pope St. John XXIII influenced his decision. During one of these programs, a deeper question was asked of him, “Christ the Servant or Christ the Shepherd?” The answer for Brian clearly came into focus. Hear Brian also discuss with Msgr. Bill Fay topics of work as well as what living in this particular seminary means, what makes it unique. Brian offers advice for those men on the threshold of a decision or who are just starting an exploration of what God is asking them to do. This is a discussion you won’t want to miss.

Brian arrived at Pope St. John XXIII after 40 years in the Defense Field, both in the corporate world and in the US Navy. He retired from Raytheon Missiles and Defense as a Senior Manager, Global Security Services.

Deacon Brian Delaney is scheduled to be ordained a priest in the spring of 2025.

Episode 27: “You Are a Priest Forever…” Psalms 110:4 | Deacon Gerardo Tlatelpa, Diocese of Brooklyn

August 26th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  18 mins 12 secs

In this episode we meet Deacon Gerardo Tlatelpa of the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York. Podcast host Msgr. Bill Fay explores what made Deacon Gerardo discern the priesthood. Gerardo has always lived a life in service to others. He worked in the restaurant industry, as a waiter and server’s assistant…serving many people he encountered daily. There came a time where, for three years, a local priest consistently asked him to consider the priesthood. And each time Gerardo denied the invitation…until the priest kicked him out of his parish! This priest saw something in Gerardo that Gerardo himself did not understand. He doubled down on his Bible readings, heard friends and family also encouraging him. One morning, when he asked the Lord “what do you want me to do?,” the Lord answered him clearly. He was expecting a different answer! Deacon Gerardo tells us of his own surprise at the life of a priest, the JOY he has witnessed and also experiences while he continues his formation at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. He is ready. People have approached him and told him “We need you.” He accepts the challenges and the joys of priesthood and looks forward to his ordination. Tune in for a very honest conversation. And find out, did he ever see that local priest again?

Deacon Gerardo Tlatelpa is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in the spring of 2025.

Episode 26: Leading People Toward Christ | Deacon William Burns

July 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  21 mins 17 secs

It took some time. Then Deacon Bill Burns recognized that Christ was calling him to a new path, one that would allow Bill to boldly lead people toward Christ.

Episode 25: The Blossoming of a Vocation | Deacon Patrick Bruen

June 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  21 mins 17 secs

Deacon Pat has a technical background and was in the IT field for most of his working life as a salesperson. He also owned his own company processing payroll for small businesses before entering Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. He hopes to be celebrating his ordination to priesthood in spring 2025 with his children and fifteen grandchildren.

Episode 24: “Grab A Couple of Oars!” and Follow God | Patrick Long

May 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  21 mins 17 secs

Pat grew up a cradle Catholic in Sarasota, Florida and spent most of his business career in Healthcare Marketing. By being involved in various ministries within the Church at different times, as well as his daily reception of the Eucharist, recitation of the Rosary, and regular Spiritual Direction, Pat says God’s call became clear. The Diocese recommended PSJS, and Pat is pleased to be attending a seminary staffed by Diocesan priests, many of whom have served in active parishes.

Episode 23: The Cause Greater than Self | John Williams

April 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  21 mins 6 secs

John Williams worked for a decade in Jesuit high school education. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and Operation Iraqi Freedom. John holds an M.A. in Philosophical Studies from Mount St. Mary’s University and a B.A. in Social Sciences from Chapman University. He is scheduled to be ordained a priest in 2025.

Episode 22: The Formula is Right at PSJS XXIII | Deacon Robert Hennekes, Archdiocese of St. Louis

March 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  19 mins 59 secs

Prior to entering the seminary, Deacon Bob had a 33-year career as a Chemical engineer in the oil and gas industry, followed by 8 years of teaching science and engineering at St. Dominic High School in O'Fallon, Missouri. He became a permanent deacon in the St. Louis Archdiocese while teaching at St. Dominic.
“With my level of age and experience, Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary is the perfect spot for me. The seminarians here are mature, loving, and ready to serve God. All of us have experience working in the secular world and now share the joy to work in the spiritual world.”

Episode 21: I Can Do This - A Calling Manifested | Deacon Jason Fox

February 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  20 mins 40 secs

Deacon Jason Fox studied Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice in Michigan before moving back to Ohio and being nearer to his family. It was in Columbus that his calling to the priesthood reemerged suddenly and unexpectedly. In his words, “I decided to stop fighting my true vocation and instead embraced it.” Deacon Jason is scheduled to be ordained a diocesan priest in the spring of 2024.

Episode 20: God’s Providence Comes to Fruition | Deacon Stephen Mullaney

January 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  17 mins 43 secs

catholic, deacon, jesus, prayer, priesthood, seminarian, vocation

Before entering the Seminary, Deacon Steve had a successful career for over 30 years as a civil engineer, the last 16 years operating his own business. He held leadership positions at the regional Chamber of Commerce for 9 years and was a long-time caregiver to his grandparents and parents. Deacon Steve is scheduled to be ordained a diocesan priest in the spring of 2024.

Episode 19: We Live Like Brothers | Deacon Luiz Marquez

December 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  19 mins 2 secs

catholic, christian, christmas, deacon, priest, priesthood, vocation

Deacon Luiz Marquez, Diocese of Brooklyn, discusses what he is grateful for as Christmas approaches and the path he took to priesthood.

Episode 18: A Peaceful Pace | Deacon Greg Zingler

November 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  17 mins 50 secs

catholic, christian, church, deacon, thanksgiving

Deacon Greg Zingler discusses with Msgr. Bill Fay what he is thankful for. He talks about his journey to seminary, military, and working with the Missionaries of Charity.

Episode 17: Doing God’s Will is Happiness | Jozef Ukaj

October 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  13 mins 31 secs

deacon, priest, seminarian

Jozef Ukaj is a fourth-year seminarian in formation for the Diocese of Bridgeport in Connecticut who was born in Kosovo, moved to Croatia, and has also lived in Germany and now the United States. Before entering seminary life, Jozef worked in the grocery, restaurant, and luxury apartments industries. He looks forward to being ordained to the priesthood in spring of 2024.

Episode 16: Felt Like I Was Home | Deacon Joseph Gonzalez

September 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  15 mins 29 secs

In this episode, Deacon Joe Gonzalez talks with Msgr. Bill Fay about signposts that led him to answer God’s invitation to serve Him as a priest. Joseph was employed as a software test engineer for 18 years. Hear about his life as a United States Marine and the ways in which God was always weaving His way in and out of Joe’s life.

Episode 15: My Home as a Domestic Church | Deacon John Tanyi

August 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  19 mins 55 secs

Deacon John Tanyi is a member of the Class of 2024 and is in formation for the Archdiocese of Boston. Deacon John discusses his journey from Cameroon, AFRICA, to Boston and what influences helped inform his decision to pursue the priesthood.

Episode 14: Don't Lose Hope. Stay Focused. | Deacon Barry Mongeon

July 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  20 mins

priesthood, seminary

“Come as you are and offer all that you have. God will take care of the rest.” Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with Deacon Barry Mongeon to chat about his vocation story. Deacon Barry offers encouraging words to any man discerning his life's call: Be realistic about your goals, always look forward, and run the race.