Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary - Episodes Tagged with “Priesthood”

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

Grexly — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 12:15:00 -0500

In this first episode of the calendar year, we hear from Deacon Stephen Mullaney, a fourth-year seminarian in formation for the Diocese of Worcester. Sharing his vocation story, he begins by telling us of a young boy who thought he wanted to be a meteorologist! Deacon Steve takes us through the joys and challenges he experienced working many years in the City of Worcester, serving his community while also taking care of family members. Steve didn’t become a meteorologist, but he did become a civil engineer and worked tirelessly - as an employee, a business owner, and as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. During these years God was also working - with Steve to guide him to where he needed to be. Steve had entered the Permanent Diaconate program but was encouraged to go further and entered the seminary to become a diocesan priest. Pope St. John XXIII has programs such as First Friday Holy Hours and retreats to help a discerning man and Deacon Steve had participated in them all. Hear what stands out most during his formation and what has been the greatest blessing for him at Pope St. John XXIII.

Episode 19: We Live Like Brothers | Deacon Luiz Marquez

Grexly — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Deacon Luis Marquez, Diocese of Brooklyn

Christmas is almost here, when we take pause and count our many blessings. Deacon Luis Marquez of the Diocese of Brooklyn is grateful for many things, and today he talks with Msgr. Bill Fay about one particular special blessing he holds – being on the road to priesthood. Hear about the winding path he took despite God calling him at a very young age. What did he witness? What did he hear? Native to Medellín, Columbia, Deacon Luis came to the United States as a teenager. Seeing a different way of life and Catholic faith when he arrived, he decided to explore a steady career path and put off considering religious life. Finally, one experience cemented for him the strength of God’s call and Luis entered Pope St. John XXIII. According to Luis, at the Seminary “we live like brothers” and work together toward one goal. Hear his joy at being close to ordination and returning to a diocese where Mass is celebrated in 22 different languages every Sunday! For the support the faculty and PSJS community gives him toward his vocation, Deacon Luis says, “I will always praise this place.”

Deacon Luis attended the Minor Seminary of the Archdiocese of Medellín before he emigrated with his family to the United States. He went on to receive a degree in modern language and become a Spanish teacher before answering God’s call. Deacon Luis is scheduled to be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn in spring 2024.

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

Grexly — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Deacon Barry Mongeon is a member of the Class of 2024 and is in formation for the Archdiocese of Boston. He sits down with Msgr. Bill Fay and shares his vocation journey, talking especially about the encouragement he received when he decided to pursue God’s call. Deacon Barry offers his own encouraging words to any man discerning God’s plan for himself: Be realistic about your goals, always look forward and run the race. Follow the way of God and all will fall into place. In choosing to become a seminarian, your many gifts and talents will be readily used and will blossom. “Come as you are and offer all that you have,” says Deacon Barry. “God will take care of the rest.” Listen to this great discussion between Deacon Barry and Msgr. Bill Fay and perhaps you, too, will be encouraged to learn more about serving God as a Catholic priest.

Deacon Barry was a professional musician for the Diocese of Springfield and an educator/author for the craft industry. Prior to that he was a marketing manager for a regional ribbon and trim company. Barry has also had a 20-year career as a professional designer/wedding specialist.

Deacon Barry Mongeon was ordained a transitional deacon on May 13, 2023, and is spending his summer serving in Sacred Heart Parish in Roslindale, Massachusetts.

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

Grexly — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Deacon Greg Dougherty is a member of the Class of 2024 and serving the Diocese of Venice in Florida. In today’s podcast, Deacon Greg talks with Msgr. Bill Fay about his eventful discernment journey which eventually led him to seminary. If you like to row, you'll enjoy hearing about Greg’s spiritual experience on the water during a 90-day adventure. What prayer brought him through? How is the Lord the true “Hound of Heaven”? Msgr. Fay aptly points out, “If we open our hearts to Him, He’ll get us.” Deacon Greg speaks about life at the Seminary and the broad spectrum of men in the house who are “all dying to self” to serve God. You’ll hear why Mother Mary has a special role in Greg’s life, as well as his practical advice for any discerner.

Deacon Greg has experiences in teaching, industrial sales, prison ministry, and establishing small businesses in the health and wellness industry which will all benefit his life as a parish priest. For Deacon Greg, “Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary has been an incredible blessing and I am very thankful that God has opened this door for me.”

Deacon Gregory Dougherty was ordained a Transitional Deacon on April 29, 2023.

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

Grexly — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Deacon Edgar Serrano is a member of the Class of 2023 and will be serving the Diocese of Orlando once ordained. He sat with Msgr. Bill Fay to discuss his path to priesthood. Deacon Edgar grew up in Bogota-Columbia in South America, but he did not always stay with the predominant religion of the country – Catholicism. He explored another path but ultimately walked away. He ventured into the secular world and was successful. When a family tragedy struck, he and his family “doubled down” on their prayers to God for guidance and sustenance. Hear when the moment struck Edgar that God was calling him to do something more. How was his experience at the Seminary? How did surrendering fully to God’s plan make his seminary formation so full that he can now be a man of God as a priest whose heart is open to what God needs? Hear the discussion and perhaps you or someone you know can relate to Deacon Edgar’s path and may consider if God is calling you.

Deacon Edgar worked as a dance / acting teacher for children from preschool to High School. He moved to the USA in 1999, worked in the customer service industry, and volunteered in community theater for years. He worked as a Director of Hispanic Ministry, became a Permanent Deacon, and eventually entered Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary.

Deacon Edgar Serrano will be ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2023.

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

Grexly — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with Deacon Ernesto Alonso, a member of the Class of 2023 and serving the Diocese of Brooklyn. Deacon Ernesto is 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. We learn what brought Ernesto to America and how he found his way to Brooklyn, NY. As with any new undertaking, there are challenges and blessings. When asked his advice to those who may be discerning a priestly call, he offers: “’Do not be afraid.’ Pray, and do your part.” Deacon Ernesto is 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.

After high school, Deacon Ernesto Alonso entered the Vincentian Fathers Seminary College where he studied philosophy. He eventually moved to Miami, earning an associate degree in culinary arts. He worked in the restaurant industry for 8 years and then moved to Astoria, NY where he worked as a personal chef and was very active in his local parish.

Deacon Ernesto Alonso will be ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 2023.

2: Family Issues | Rev. Eugene “Gene” Schaeffer, Archdiocese of St. Louis

Grexly — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0400

In this month’s episode, Msgr. Bill Fay discusses family issues with Rev. Eugene “Gene” Schaeffer, a member of the Class of 2022 who is now serving the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Fr. Gene is well-suited for this conversation since he entered the Seminary as a dad to two wonderful daughters and a grandfather to two beautiful grandchildren. Fr. Gene experienced a latent faith practice, a divorce and an annulment, and then had a strong return to the faith and moved forward to be ordained a permanent deacon. But there was still more he desired to do. Listen as he and Msgr. Fay discuss Fr. Gene’s path to priesthood; about how his path is not only attainable, but also opens up a unique postition to reach God's people and relate to the many triumphs and tribulations families face in their relationships with God. You'll also get to hear Fr. Gene talk about his rowboat!

Prior to arriving at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary for formation, Fr. Gene was employed in healthcare IT for close to 30 years, mostly as a leader of application developers and business analysts. His last job was at Centene Corp., a healthcare company primarily in the Medicare and Medicaid markets.

Rev. Eugene “Gene” Schaeffer was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 2022. He is serving in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

1: Discernment | Deacon Michael Young, Diocese of Venice

Grexly — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Msgr. William Fay discusses with Deacon Michael Young of the Class of 2022 his process of discernment, about the people and experiences throughout his life that influenced his decision to answer God’s call. Learn about the steps Deacon Michael took to become a candidate and, in due course, a seminarian studying for the Diocese of Venice at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary.

Prior to arriving at PSJS, Deacon Michael was a reentry program case manager for men and women transitioning from the Federal Bureau of Prisons back into society. Deacon Michael has also served his country as a member of the armed forces and has been a law enforcement officer and special/enforcement agent. He is a former member of a religious community and transitioned to candidacy and formation for the diocesan priesthood.

Deacon Michael Young will be ordained to the priesthood on July 16, 2022, for the Diocese of Venice.