HOLY Spirit Provincial Seminary in Brisbane is being extended two years ahead of schedule, concrete proof of an ongoing surge of interest in vocations to the priesthood in Queensland.
Seminary rector Monsignor Tony Randazzo said “the blessing of many new vocations throughout the province (Queensland)” had led to the start of work on the $2.5 million accommodation facilities to enable the Banyo seminary to house 16 more seminarians than is possible now.
The extensions, due to be completed in Oct-ober/November and expected to be opened and blessed early in 2011, will bring total seminary capacity to 32.
Msgr Randazzo said less than two years after stage one of the new seminary opened it had 24 seminarians so the new extensions became a necessity.
A range of factors including the most proactive laity he had seen in his 19 years in the priesthood were responsible for the jump in vocations, the rector said.
“These developments are an exciting indication and clear sign that the Church is alive and thriving,” he said.
“With more vocations and a high interest in the priesthood reported in all dioceses of the province of Queensland, work on the second stage of the three stages planned on the seminary site had to start between two and three years earlier than planned.”
Work at the site also includes a new formation centre known as the Pacelli Centre and a vestibule which will house some of the Archbishop James Duhig art collection, some of which is on display at the Queensland Art Gallery.
Stage one of the Holy Spirit Seminary was opened in April 2008 by Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Cardinal William Levada.
The opening of the seminary, near where Pius XII Provincial Seminary had once stood and adjacent to the Australian Catholic Uni-versity, was seen as both a reconnection with the past and a sign of faith in the future.
Msgr Randazzo said the latest developments were an ongoing tribute to the work of the Holy Spirit Seminary’s founding rector Fr Michael McCarthy.
“His dedication, his enthusiasm, his foresight, to take this place to fruition, from dirt to a comprehensive program which looks at human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation is allowing us to reap a rich harvest,” he said.
He noted Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane has had oversight of this aspect of Church life in Brisbane for the past decade especially through the creation of a vocations task force.
Msgr Randazzo said in a recent meeting with vocations directors from all dioceses in the province – Brisbane, Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton – he was aware that “the spirit is moving throughout the province in the area of vocations to the priesthood”.
“All were enthusiastic, saying they are getting many young men coming forward to ask questions about a possible vocation in the priesthood,” he said.
“This enthusiasm has been reflected in Brisbane with four to six young men coming forward each year for the past few years providing a good core number to work with in formation.
“I can also say that Brisbane archdiocese currently has a group of 10 young men seriously discerning whether they have a vocation.”
Msgr Randazzo said he had been most impressed by the quality of these young men and of the increasing support of vocations by the laity.
“As rector of the seminary I am constantly seeing these young men making choices for a life of service in the Church,” he said.
“I can definitely say this attraction to the priesthood has nothing to do with running away from the world.
“Rather they are seeing the world has problems and saying something like: ‘Hey. The solution is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I want to preach that Good News to the world’.”
More than ever the laity is taking responsibility for encouraging vocations as well.
“I have always emphasised it’s not just my job – nor any one priest’s – to be encouraging vocations … it’s the responsibility of every Catholic to promote vocations.
“I believe that’s happening more and more.
“People are becoming increasingly aware of the essential nature of the priesthood in the community and seeing it’s important to the Church.
“They are saying: ‘We need these people to break open the Word and celebrate the sacraments’.”
A capital funding campaign to add to significant donations pledged for the new building will be launched later this year.
Next month the annual seminary education campaign will be launched.
