10/06/2026
The Boston Pilot: Lawn Party supports mission of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary - by Wes Cipolla, Pilot Staff
https://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.php?ID=203447
WESTON -- The men of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston had many occupations before being called to the priesthood later in life.
Among their ranks are doctors, accountants, engineers, plumbers, mechanics, and public servants. One was even a New York City taxi driver.
Deacon Leonardo Lopez, of the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, spent almost a decade driving a truck in his native Colombia. The experience taught him about being a priest.
"Driving a truck taught me responsibility, patience, discipline, perseverance, and the value of serving others," he said. "It also put me in contact with many different people and situations. They taught me what it means to be tired and still keep going."
He had to travel many miles, both figuratively and literally, before he understood what God wanted from him. Growing up in a house with 13 siblings taught him how to share, be patient, and forgive. He entered the seminary as an enthusiastic man in his 20s.
"But life took me in another direction," he recalled.
He felt that something was missing from his life as a truck driver.
"God's plans are very different from ours, because even when I stopped working toward the seminary, God never stopped working toward me," he said.
When he reapplied for the same seminary he joined in his youth, he was rejected for being too old. Bishop Luis R. Zarama gave him the chance to attend Pope St. John XXIII, the only seminary in the U.S. dedicated to forming older men for the priesthood.
"God doesn't always call us when we think he should," Deacon Lopez said. "He calls us when he knows we are ready."
Deacon Lopez is now in his final year of formation at Pope John XXIII. He spoke at the seminary's 45th annual lawn party on Sept. 23, a celebration of the seminary's work and a way of expressing gratitude to its financial supporters.
"When you support this house, you are not simply supporting buildings, programs, food, education, or formation," Deacon Lopez said. "You are investing in men who hope one day to serve God's people as priests."
Each year, a seminarian is asked to speak at the lawn party. The seminary's rector, Father Brian Kiely, said any of the men's stories would have been captivating. He chose Deacon Lopez because he exemplifies a seminarian's work ethic, coming to a new country and learning English to restart his life for God.
"I am not here simply as a member of this beautiful community of the seminary," Deacon Lopez said, "but as a migrant who has been given the opportunity and the grace to respond to God's call in a new chapter, a little later in my life, in this unique and delightful seminary."
Father Kiely said the presence of the seminary's donors and supporters was a reminder of the Church's need for "good, holy, happy, and balanced priests."
"Tonight is more than just a dinner," he said. "It's really a celebration of hope. It's a celebration of community, and on the impact that we can have together. Each contribution, whether of time or talent or treasure, helps us to continue the vital work of supporting seminarians and strengthening parish life throughout our country and throughout our world."
Pope John XXIII welcomed 15 new seminarians this year. Father Kiely asked all of the seminarians and priest alumni to stand and be recognized.
"These are the reasons why I say I'm living the dream, to be able to be associated with such wonderful people as these men," he said, "and to know that they will be prepared to become shepherds after God's own heart, to serve generously the people of God, and to bring people closer to each other and the Lord."
Father Kiely thanked Archbishop Richard G. Henning for his presence at the lawn party. He was scheduled to be at the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen on Sept. 24, but booked a red-eye flight that morning so he could be at the lawn party, as well.
"That speaks to me a tremendous generosity and an oblative spirit that is willing to put aside his own personal comforts for the mission of this seminary and for the mission of the Church in Boston," Father Kiely said.
In his remarks, Archbishop Henning said that before celebrating "a great priest and bishop" like Archbishop Sheen, it was fitting to celebrate the seminary and its people. He gave a bit of "homework" to those at the lawn party -- to attend a presbyteral ordination if they hadn't done so before, and see the "deeply meaningful symbols, words, and actions" of the liturgy. The priests lay prostrate before the altar, giving their entire selves to God. They also receive the chalice for use during Mass. Through formation, a seminarian understands what is asked of him upon his ordination. The rituals of the liturgy are not merely symbols but "deeply meaningful to the man and to the Church."
"This seminary brings men to that moment, ready for the beauty of what happens then, as Jesus Christ claims him as one of his own," the archbishop said.
Each year, clergy and laity who have supported Pope John XXIII are each given the Pacem in Terris Award, named after the famous encyclical of its patron. This year's lay recipients were Gail and Terry Murphy, who chaired the 2001 and 2002 lawn parties and have supported the seminary's annual golf tournaments for years. Gail Murphy served on the seminary's Board of Trustees and helped provide pastoral formation to seminarians studying in healthcare settings.
"We support it for the wonderful work it does," said Gail Murphy, who attended Mass at the seminary as a girl.
She and her husband have become close friends with many of the priests formed there.
"Talk to any of these men, and you'll be impressed by their varied backgrounds, life experiences, and interests," she said.
God has been good to the Murphys, she explained, and the Murphys will continue to be good to the seminary.
The award's clergy recipient was Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester, another longtime supporter of the seminary. As bishop of Worcester, he has entrusted a dozen seminarians to Pope John XXIII. Nineteen priests formed there are currently serving in his diocese.
In his remarks, he said that he spent the happiest years of his ministry serving as rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary.
"I'm humbled by this award," he said. "Pray for vocations and pray for me."
WESTON -- The men of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston had many occupations before being called to the priesthood later in life. Among their ranks are doctors, accountants, engineers, p
