Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary

Patrick Long, Diocese of Venice in Florida Deacon Pat Long is currently in formation for the Diocese of Venice in Florida. He took time recently to talk with host Msgr. Bill Fay about what led to Pat’s arrival at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary to embark on formation for priesthood. Like many men at XXIII, Pat thought about being a priest at an early age. However, the road was not a direct l...

Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with John Williams, a third-year theologian in formation for the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. John hails from a large family, having grown up just outside the Washington D.C. area in Fairfax County, VA. Growing up, John first experienced a life of service through his family. He carried that lesson with him throughout many experiences in his life. “The cause gre...

“I just kept growing deeper in love with God. What did He want from me?” Deacon Robert Hennekes is a third-year theologian from the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and he sits today with Msgr. Bill Fay. Their discussion takes us around the world! Deacon Bob began a career as a chemical engineer, stepped into engineering software sales for a time, and then became a teacher at St. Dominic High School in O...

Deacon Jason Fox, Diocese of Columbus in Ohio “Is this right? How can I do this at my age? I might not be in shape for the academics.” Have you had this internal dialogue when you think God is seeking you and calling you to serve Him? Deacon Jason Fox sits down with Msgr. Bill Fay and addresses these questions…because he had the same concerns when his calling was something he could no longer quiet...

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 wh...

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 d...

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, we hear today from Deacon Greg Zingler who is in the Class of 2024 for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Sitting down with podcast host Msgr. Bill Fay, Deacon Greg discusses what makes him grateful. He speaks as a young student of history, sharing insights he garnered from his own family background. His journey to seminary was preceded by six years in th...

Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary with Msgr. Bill Fay is honored to have on the podcast Jozef Ukaj who is a fourth-year seminarian in formation for the Diocese of Bridgeport in Connecticut. A heartfelt discussion ensues as Msgr. Fay encourages Jozef to share what road he has travelled that brings him to this particular seminary where he can best prepare to serve God and the people of...

Deacon Joseph Gonzalez is in his final year of formation for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. In this episode, he talks with Msgr. Bill Fay about signposts that led him to answer God’s invitation to serve Him as a priest. 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. Attendi...

In this latest episode, Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with Deacon John Tanyi who 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. Though inspired by mission priests as a young man, he was primarily motivated by his family from a v...

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 f...

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...

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...

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,...

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. When a priest in Worcester, Massachusetts asked that he visit Worcester and experience the community, Gustavo knew he must...

Msgr. Bill Fay catches up with his old friend, Deacon PeterClaver Kiviiri. Deacon PeterClaver is a member of the Class of 2023 and is in formation for the Diocese of Columbus. He and Msgr. Fay met many years ago in Uganda when both were in different positions in their lives. You’ll want to hear about that fortuitous meeting and the path that led to their eventual reunion years later at Pope St. Jo...

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 pr...

Msgr. Bill Fay has a wonderful conversation with Deacon Zachary Alspaugh, a member of the Class of 2023 who is studying for the Archdiocese of New York. Zach discusses his circuitous route to Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, from New York City during his film school days, to San Francisco, then back to New York City. NYC’s unique energy always pulled him in - most especially the ministry to...

Many may not know that Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary draws men from across the globe! Many seminarians study for the priesthood and stay within the United States, but there a handful of men who pass through our doors and then travel back overseas to serve as priests. In this episode we meet Deacon James Thomson of the class of 2023, in formation for the Archdiocese of Adelaide in Australia...

In this month’s episode, Msgr. Bill Fay speaks with Deacon James “Jim” DiVasto about his life before coming to the seminary. Prior to entering formation, he worked for 37 years at the Supreme Office of the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, CT, where he served in various roles supporting the mission of the Council, both nationally and globally. We hear how this helped build the foundation for Jim’s...

In this episode, Msgr. Bill Fay speaks with Rev. James “Jim” Boulette about his experience during his four years at the Seminary. Fr. Jim is a member of the Class of 2022 and serves in the Diocese of Worcester in Massachusetts. The two discuss the biggest difference between “then” and “now” as Fr. Jim prepared for his ordination. Overall, Fr. Jim is most grateful for the growth of his confidence i...

Have you ever wondered what a day in the seminary is like? Msgr. Bill Fay explores this topic with Rev. Jerome “Jerry” Kleponis who is a member of the Class of 2022 and serves in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Fr. Jerry speaks about the variety of responsibilities in a seminarian’s day and the ways in which these prepare men to be priests. They also discuss Fr. Jerry’s experience while assigned to the...

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...

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 a...

A new podcast, coming soon! It’s never too late to respond to a call from God, and Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary is the podcast created for men considering a vocation to the priesthood, as well as those who support their journey of discernment. Pope Saint John XXIII Seminary is the national seminary that specializes in preparing men ages 30-65 to enter the priesthood.