Episode 39: Happiness vs. Contentment | Deacon John Ippolito, Archdiocese of New York

What led Deacon John Ippolito of the Archdiocese of New York to a decision to connect with his Vocation Director one January night and awaken the journey that will now lead him to priesthood? He sits down with Msgr. Bill Fay to talk about it being never too late to explore God’s call to priesthood. How can you respond to the “gravitational pull” that you suspect is God guiding you to where He needs you to go and be? Hear Dcn. John explain his decision to investigate the “tug” he could no longer put aside and how that decision has led to a surprising contentment. He also speaks about the strength of the formation program at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary and the leadership skills instilled in seminarians to ensure their preparedness for ministry. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Deacon John worked in the area of rehabilitation before entering PSJS. He worked as both a Rehabilitation Practitioner and a Director of Rehabilitation with experience treating patients who sustained spinal cord injuries and cerebral vascular accidents. He is completing his final year of formation before ordination to priesthood in the spring of 2026.