Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary

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.

Episode 13: The Lord is the "Hound of Heaven" | Deacon Gregory Dougherty

June 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  17 mins 43 secs

priesthood, seminary

Deacon Greg Dougherty talks about his eventful discernment journey, a spiritual experience he had while rowing during a 90-day adventure, life at the seminary, and his practical advice for anyone discerning a vocation.

Episode 12: Surrender Fully and Hear God | Deacon Edgar Serrano

May 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  12 mins 39 secs

bogota-columbia, deacon, priesthood, seminary

Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with Deacon Edgar Serrano who will be serving the Diocese of Orlando and is originally from Bogota-Columbia. He and Msgr. Fay discuss Edgar's return to the call of God after a family tragedy struck. Deacon worked as a dance and acting teacher for children from preschool to High School. Find out more about his story…and learn much more about the special fraternity at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary and the gifts it offers God’s Church for today and many tomorrows.

Episode 11: Do Not Be Afraid – Pray and Do Your Part | Deacon Ernesto Alonso

April 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  11 mins 22 secs

cuba, deacon, priesthood, seminary

Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with Deacon Ernesto Alonso serving the Diocese of Brooklyn and originally from Havana, Cuba. He and Msgr. Fay discuss Ernesto’s perspective on the two cultures of the Church as found in Cuba and the United States. Deacon Ernesto is also a trained chef – what’s his favorite dish? Find out…and learn much more about the special fraternity at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary and the gifts it offers God’s Church for today and many tomorrows.

10: Prepared and Ready to Serve | Deacon Gustavo Correa

March 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  11 mins 36 secs

colombia

Msgr. Bill Fay chats with Deacon Gustavo Correa, a seminarian for the Diocese of Worcester who is originally from Colombia. As a young man, Deacon Gustavo entered the Order of Holy Trinity but stepped away because he felt it was not the right time for him; The call persisted.

9: A Visit Remembered – Paths Cross Again | Deacon PeterClaver Kiviiri

February 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  11 mins 53 secs

uganda

Msgr. Bill Fay catches up with his old friend, Deacon PeterClaver Kiviiri, whom he met many years ago in Uganda and reconnected with years later at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. Deacon PeterClaver shares his perspective on priesthood in different cultures, the seminary brotherhood, and how he was encouraged by a bishop to act on the call he was hearing from God.

8: Encourage the Priesthood | Deacon Allen Boedeker

January 23rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  12 mins 55 secs

archdiocese of st. louis, grandfather

Msgr. Bill Fay talks with Deacon Allen Boedeker about his path to priesthood, which is a path not uncommon Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary! Deacon Allen is a member of the Class of 2023 and in formation for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He is a father, a grandfather, and a great-grandfather! Deacon Allen takes us through a lifelong deepening of his faith that has ultimately led him to the priesthood. We also hear about what makes the formation program at this Seminary so strong. The most important takeaway is for listeners to know how important it is to encourage the priesthood in men who exhibit faith, virtue, and other characteristics that would benefit the Church and the world. Just a small word of encouragement can make all the difference in God’s plan.