Fr. Fernando Ayala is currently one of the youngest priests serving in the Archdiocese of Boston, yet despite his youth he is most certainly blessed with wisdom well beyond his years. In this episode we talk with him about growing up in El Salvador, how he came to the United States, how he came to discern his vocation, how his faith in Christ became his anchor along the way and throughout all the challenges he has faced in his life, and more.

In this episode we sit down with Joe Jasinski, a seminarian in his fourth year of studying to be a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston. As we hear Joe’s story we talk about faith, sports, discernment, and the rewards of ministry. Beginning in Massachusetts, going west to Indiana and then Hawaii before making it back to Massachusetts, we hear about how Joe’s relationship with Christ has sparked the desire to become a priest, to teach the faith, to bring it to life for young people in particular, and to make living out the faith an ordinary part of our lives.

Ordained in the midst of the chaotic 2020 pandemic, Fr Denis Nakkeeran talks with us about his experience of priestly ministering during that difficult time. In this episode we talk about how his desire to have his questions about faith and morality answered led him to seek answers. In doing so he not only found answers but also a deep relationship with God. Now, he has a chance to share the fruit of all of this with us, as well as with the seminarians of St John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA where he is a faculty member.

In a moment where East meets West, we are joined by Mark Farrah, a seminarian studying for the Catholic priesthood in the Maronite rite of the Catholic Church. As one who has deeply benefitted in his relationship with God through both the Eastern and Western traditions of the Catholic Church, Mark shares these graces with us. In this episode we talk about the impact that his devotion to the Blessed Mother has had on him, his “re-version” to the faith, his discernment for the priesthood, the blessing that the pandemic was for his faith, starting up a young adult group during the pandemic, and so much more!

From the comfort and safety of having a faithful family when growing up to the chaos of trying to figure out his vocation, Jared Cowell’s relationship with God has been quite the adventure. In this episode, Jared shares with us how his family’s faith prepared him for becoming a husband and father, as well as how the struggles in his young adult years have helped him cultivate a deeper relationship with God.

In this episode we are joined by our friend, Ryan Nash. We have the privilege of talking to him about his faith and his relationship with God and the Catholic Church. We delve deep into topics of trauma and loss, the impact of family life on faith, and living a double life. We also discuss the connection between mental health and the spiritual life, marriage, becoming a father, and more!

Join us this episode as we listen to the powerful witness of Amanda Gately. She shares with us about her upbringing, the deep struggles she experienced while in college, and reaching a breaking point during the pandemic. Amanda describes having to learn how to be seen and loved for who she is and not just how she perceived herself, encountering the love of God, finding healing in His Love for her, becoming a youth minister, becoming a missionary, and much more!

Matt and Monet join forces to interrogate Fr. Nick on today’s episode. Fr. Nick shares with us about the lasting effect his parents divorce has had on him, the deep impact his relationship with his grandparents and his friends have had on his life, his love for the saints, and the healing effect of the love and mercy of Jesus in his life. We also discuss anxiety, how he discerned his call to priesthood, and more!

In today’s special episode our guest is the eldest member of the CBN crew, Matt. Monet joins us as a co-host for this insightful conversation as Matt walks us through his personal struggles from his teenage years and early adulthood. The healing that Matt has experienced in his relationship with Jesus Christ, through the intercession of some powerful patron saints, shows us clearly how we are never too far away from God’s Love and Mercy.

Welcome to the Called By Name Podcast! Each episode of this podcast we will have the privilege of hearing from men and women about their faith journey, with all of its ups and downs along the way. 

In our premiere episode, CBN’s hosts Fr. Nick Stano and Matt Marquet sit down with Monet Souza, Called By Name’s Executive Producer (aka our boss). Monet is the founder of A Message of Hope, a ministry founded in May of 2020 in order to inspire and support high schoolers and young adults to live out their Catholic faith. A speaker, host for Catholic TV’s series Anchored, and so much more, Monet has a true desire to share her faith with others!

In this episode we talk with Monet about what growing up in her faith was like, the impact of her family on her faith, her experience of Catholic schools, transferring colleges, the role the Blessed Mother has had in Monet’s life and her relationship with God, the on-going process of discerning her vocation, and much more!