Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary

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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. Join Monsignor Bill Fay on the 23rd of each month for Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary. For more information, visit https://www.psjs.edu/

  1. Sep 23

    Episode 52: FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Rev. Rendell Torres

    We begin a new year at the Seminary! We have two new faculty members joining the community this year, and in this episode Msgr. Bill Fay first sits down with Rev. Rendell Torres. Fr. Rendell comes to us from the Diocese of Albany. He is very familiar with Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary because he is an alumnus of this great house of formation! In a very open way, Fr. Rendell shares with us what his journey to the Seminary was like and the questioning he experienced as a young man earnestly listening to God and the Holy Spirit. He tells us about specific moments when he really needed to decide what he should or needed to do. We are grateful to Fr. Rendell for sharing these moments. We are also grateful that he comes back to the Seminary to continue sharing his many unique gifts. They have already made an impression and will, no doubt, continue to do so in the years ahead. Perhaps there are some of you who relate to his story? Tune in and find out. And for some, listening is also an opportunity to learn what decisions might help fine-tune the decision-making process in answering God’s call. Is God calling you? Rev. Rendell Torres obtained his Master of Divinity degree from Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in 2010 and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Albany that same year. He joins the faculty as a Spiritual Director, helping to guide and encourage men at the seminary in their formation journey.

  2. Aug 24

    Episode 51: FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Very Rev. Brian R. Kiely, Rector, and Professor Msgr. William Fay

    In this new episode, Msgr. Bill Fay welcomes to the table the Rector of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, Very Rev. Brian R. Kiely. In a twist of format, Fr. Kiely asks all the questions! And so, we hear from our terrific podcast host about his own vocation journey and what brought him to work at this seminary for older men who are discerning God’s call. Msgr. Fay wonderfully answers questions about the unique mission of this Seminary and why Bishops and Vocation Directors will want to consider sending men to Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary to be formed as priests. Msgr. Fay and Fr. Kiely have a great discussion. You’ll want to tune in to hear about the exceptional work being performed at this particular house of formation that forms mature men and helps them strengthen their call to serve God. Bishops will receive men back into their diocese that, as Msgr. Fay shares, “will be faithful to the priesthood until the end.” In addition to being the host of Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary, Msgr. William Fay, Ph.D is also a Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. He recently celebrated 50 years a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston. Very Rev. Brian R. Kiely was named the ninth Rector of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in 2016. He is a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston, having served many roles as pastor as well as serving as Regional Vicar of the West Region of the archdiocese from June 2014 to August 2016. Father Kiely has also been a member of the Clergy Personnel Board, the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors, as well as the Cardinal's Cabinet.

  3. Jul 23

    Episode 50: FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Rev. Joseph Zwosta, S.T.D.

    This month, Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with Rev. Joseph Zwosta, who wears many hats in the academic arena at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary: Coordinator of Intellectual Formation, Academic Dean and Registrar, and Interim Coordinator of Liturgy. He is a seminarian formator/mentor and also teaches. From this conversation we learn about Fr. Zwosta’s vocation journey, when he knew he wanted to become a priest and the many influences that supported his decision. We also learn about his academic path and the strong foundation he built that makes him the perfect fit for his role at the Seminary. What observations has he made over the years of the men studying at Pope St. John XXIII in comparison to his own experiences in seminary life? Hear how, and why, he likes his involvement in both the theological studies as well as the “hands-on” practicums (baptisms, penance, marriage) designed to prepare the men at Pope St. John XXIII to become priests. Msgr. Fay and Fr. Zwosta also have a great discussion about discerners who may be questioning if they are truly meant to be priests - what should be the mindset? What does it take? Tune in and find out more. Rev. Joseph Zwosta is a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and will be entering his seventh year of service at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary.

  4. Jun 23

    Episode 49: FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Rev. Vincent Daily

    Next up on our Faculty Spotlight series, Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with Rev. Vincent Daily. Fr. Vin shares with us his vocation story and the journey that led him to priesthood. Who are the special people in his life? Fr. Vin grew up in the Greater Boston area with many religious in his extended family – religious sisters, priests, and a bishop! What always stood out to him was their joyful demeanor, always kind and happy. Observing them over the years, Fr. Vin was learning how religious service was a way to do good in this world, and he definitely wanted to participate in that experience. What keeps him grounded is always turning to prayer, an action he saw demonstrated by his own parents, siblings, and friends. Hear what has led him to believe that the best homily for anyone is to see a person who is prayerful. Fr. Vin Daily is an essential member of the faculty, and his contagious joy will widen this fall when he takes on the role of Dean of Seminarians in August. Tune in and hear what makes Fr. Vin a joyful servant of God.

  5. May 26

    Episode 48: FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Deacon John Nicholson

    As we begin the summer break, Msgr. Bill Fay will turn to the faculty side of the seminary house for his next few episodes. This month, he sits down with Deacon John Nicholson, the Coordinator of Pastoral Formation at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. With the direction and guidance of Deacon John, seminarians gain hands-on experience working assignments in the field. This discussion helps us learn about the work of seminarians beyond the walls of the seminary house and about the mentoring process of their supervisors at their assignments. We also get to hear Deacon John’s impressions of the daily rhythm of seminary life and his thoughts about forming men to be priests for God in the Church. As a bonus, how did Deacon John decide to become a permanent deacon? And what brought him to the Seminary to helm the pastoral program? Tune in for a great conversation!

  6. Apr 24

    Episode 47: God Can Do Everything | Deacon Bao Nguyen, Diocese of Venice

    In this month’s episode, Msgr. Bill Fay sits down with the newly ordained Deacon Bao Nguyen. Deacon Bao was ordained this past Saturday for the Diocese of Venice in Florida. He shares with us his story about growing up in the United States as a young child, as well as experiences on his journey to diocesan priesthood – beginning with being a newcomer to the U.S. from Vietnam when he was 12 years old, to his fulfilling career in Information Technology, to his eventual pursuit of answering God’s call. What in particular made him answer God? How has seminary life, and this particular unique seminary, sustained him and strengthened him as he follows God’s will? Where, and in whom, does he find the most support? Deacon Bao encourages any man who is thinking that God may be preparing him to serve the Church as a priest to come to the Seminary just outside of Boston for a weekend retreat or First Friday Evening Prayer and perhaps find God’s answers to his questions. Deacon Bao Nguyen was ordained a Transitional Deacon on April 18, 2026. He will return to Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary for his final year of formation for priesthood with a goal of being ordained a priest in the spring of 2027.

  7. Mar 24

    Episode 46: There is Nothing to Lose and Everything to Gain | Leonardo Espinosa-Lopez, Diocese of Raleigh

    Leonardo Espinosa-Lopez is a native of Columbia, where he spent four years in seminary and was very involved in his Church. At that time, he did not become a priest. Instead, he came to the United States. Hear Leo’s story of working in America in the commercial trucking industry and what happened that made him re-visit the priesthood. Who are his supporters and who had the most influence? Msgr. Bill Fay guides this conversation with Leo, as we learn about Leo’s challenges and blessings while navigating seminary life. He had realized that something was missing. In response to God’s persistent calling, he decided, “in order to continue responding to His love and mercy, God’s providence brought me here to this marvelous place ‘PSJS’ to transform my heart and strengthen me so I am able to serve and love Him.” As he shares his advice to men discerning a call to priesthood, we learn from Leo how “there is nothing to lose and everything to gain” in answering God’s call to be His priest. Leonard Espinosa-Lopez is scheduled to be ordained a Transitional Deacon on April 11, 2026, and will continue his studies to be ordained a priest in 2027.

  8. Mar 4

    Episode 45: A Science and Faith Connection | Maximilian Muenke, Archdiocese of Boston

    In this month’s podcast, Msgr. Bill Fay talks with seminarian Maximilian Muenke who is studying for the Archdiocese of Boston. Max teaches us a bit about another part of the world, his native Germany. Hear about his experiences there, what brought him to America, and his wonderful work in the field of medical genetics with a concentration in pediatrics. How did his vocation to priesthood come to fruition? Max experienced many hurdles, in life as well as when pursuing his calling. And yet, he persevered. We hear his take on the connection between faith and science. Additionally, Max shares news with us on his three children, and speaks about his experience of seminary life these past three years. You will definitely want to tune in and learn about Max’s unique vocation story. Max became a physician trained in pediatrics and medical genetics and worked for over three decades at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the National Institutes of Health, and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. The vocation to the priesthood came again while on a pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, followed by two years of discernment. Maximilian Muenke will be ordained a transitional deacon in the spring.

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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. Join Monsignor Bill Fay on the 23rd of each month for Never Too Late at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary. For more information, visit https://www.psjs.edu/

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