Church leaders say the Spirit is at work as Brisbane welcomes one of the biggest seminary intakes in a generation. Source: The Catholic Leader.
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge and Holy Spirit Seminary rector Fr Neil Muir welcomed 10 men, nine for Brisbane archdiocese and one for Adelaide archdiocese, at the annual opening Mass and lunch on Sunday.
Fr Muir said it was the culmination of a lot of good work by vocations offices around the province.
“These men have been prepared well, particularly those who went through the new Canali program, which the archdiocese introduced last year,” he said.
He said if the numbers remain on track, they projected a similar intake next year and they might have to begin looking at new options for housing them all.
“It’s a great problem to have and we can work on that as time goes on,” he said.
In his homily, Archbishop Coleridge reminded the seminarians that they had not earned their place there and could not earn their way to priesthood.
He said, similarly, no one could do anything to earn baptism.
It was all a gift from God, he said.
He urged the men to listen to God with the “ear of the heart” and to allow the grace of God to move.
Holy Spirit Chapel was overflowing with families, supporters, formators and friends as the new seminarians received a special blessing.
Vocation Brisbane manager Nick Kelly said it was a special day for the Church in Brisbane.
“Just seeing God’s hand move in a powerful way and nine young guys respond in such generosity with their lives to serve the Church and respond to the call of God.”
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Brisbane seminary welcomes 10 men at weekend opening Mass (By Joe Higgins, The Catholic Leader)
