MOUNT Bathersby – a new 10m-high rock climbing wall at Banyo’s Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary – will ensure seminarians can now scale lofty physical as well as spiritual heights.
The wall forms part of the seminary’s impressive new Health and Recreation Centre (HARC) comprising facilities including a small gymnasium and a billiard table from the old Pius XII Seminary.
It also pays tribute to Brisbane’s Archbishop Emeritus John Bathersby, a renowned climber, who already has a lookout in the D’Aigular National Park named after him.
Seminary rector Monsignor Tony Randazzo said, as far as he knew, the climbing wall and gym combination was a first for any seminary in Australia and possibly the world.
And with the seminary bursting at the seams with 32 seminarians, HARC will certainly get a good workout.
Msgr Randazzo said the rock-climbing wall was not only for recreation.
“It’s also for formation,” he said.
“When you step up and face the wall there’s the practical element of climbing.
“But the whole experience also gives some insight into self.
“Some fears might come out … or maybe some skills you didn’t know you had might also be drawn out.
“Reflection on the experience afterwards is also good for personal formation.”
Seminarians Tom Zaranski, Thomas Duncan, Jacob Saal and Josh Whitehead, enthusiastically endorsed the monsignor’s statements.
New Zealander Josh, a former soldier and fitness trainer who spent 2012 in the Canali House of discernment at Herston, has worked in quite a few gyms.
“This is an excellent facility – the jewel in the crown is the climbing wall,” he said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to do a lot of rock climbing in Thailand, so having a rock climbing wall here is a real bonus.”
Tom, from Ashgrove, in his second year, said prior to the HARC’s arrival “anyone remotely interested in physical fitness had to visit the Australian Catholic University facilities”.
“This makes such a facility so much more accessible,” he said.
First-year seminarian, Thomas, also from Ashgrove, felt “very privileged to have started the year with such a great facility in place”.
Jacob, from Toowoomba, also in his first year, said HARC provided “an awesome experience”.
“We come into the gym and we can be blokes together, burning off a lot of energy and having a good time,” he said.
“It’s an excellent facility right on our doorstep to give a break from our studies.”
Msgr Randazzo said HARC’s construction in 2012 was largely due to the generosity of a bequest made by Fr Bill Smith.
Fr Smith, a priest from Rockhampton diocese, was the fourth rector of then Pius XII Seminary at Banyo.
The monsignor is proud to note the brightly-coloured, airy gym has been designed to be environmentally self-sustaining.
Open windows and a high roof ensure natural ventilation.
Mats are made out of recycled rubber tyres and there’s also a rainwater tank.
More than 20 solar panels on the roof ensure the building not only runs itself but produces a bit of extra electricity.
Only one treadmill relies on this power and pedalling generates power for three other exercise machines.
The monsignor’s idea to develop HARC grew from study of texts such as Blessed John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
“While psychological evaluation and development has much to offer, it is not the only science needed in the development of the human person,” he said.
“At the seminary, human development needs to concern itself with physical well-being, self-knowledge, mental functions and behaviour.
“In other words it needs to assist the seminarian to become a well-formed person.”
The Mount Bathersby rock climbing wall grew out of discussions with archdiocesan vocations director Fr Morgan Batt, an avid rock climber.
The wall had been complete for three weeks when The Catholic Leader visited.
The monsignor laughed as he pointed to evidence of use by himself and Fr Batt.
“See, there’s a scuff mark from one of my shoes up there,” he said, pointing about halfway up.
“And if you look still further up you’ll see a bit of dried blood.
“That’s from Fr Morgan – the rough surface tore the skin on one of his hands.”
As indicated by the seminarians’ comments, the facility is being well used.
“The men are very enthusiastic,” the monsignor said.
“They probably come here almost as frequently as they go to the chapel.
“It’s a great outlet – these guys are sitting slogging away at books for hours on end as well as being involved in pastoral activities and general living.”
Yet, as Msgr Randazzo explained, HARC is not just about individuals letting off steam.
“This is not just about individualism,” he said.
“In fact one of the guidelines for the gym is to leave your ego at the door.
“It’s not a competition but rather a social event.
“When someone’s working the weights, there’s someone else spotting for him.
“When someone’s up on the wall, there’s someone working with them from below.
“It’s all about putting into practice strategies and theories learned for team-building and collaboration.
“These skills will serve the priest-to-be well for a life of leadership, service and mission in the Church and community.”
Inevitably, Archbishop Bathersby’s response to the wall and the possibility of him climbing his namesake is discussed.
“I was only speaking to the archbishop yesterday,” Msgr Randazzo said.
“At 76, nearly 77, he still manages to climb in his retirement at Stanthorpe about once a week.
“He had a very good laugh when he heard about this.
“I’ve invited him to come and see it next time he’s in Brisbane.
“We might even harness him up and get him to climb Mount Bathersby.”
