Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home News

State of Origin has deeper meaning for men discerning the call to the priesthood

byEmilie Ng
21 June 2018 - Updated on 1 April 2021
Reading Time: 2 mins read
AA
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

GOD might have been on side with the wrong team in the opening game of the 2018 State of Origin, but a few young Queensland men still have faith in His call for them to be priests.

Brisbane archdiocese’s director of vocations Fr Stanley Orji said on the night Queensland lost to the Blues in the 2018 State of Origin rugby league opener two men put their hands up to discern the priesthood next year.

The men were among more than 30 who gathered at the archdiocese’s vocation discernment house Canali House for Game One of the State of Origin.

“Whether you want to say that Queensland just let-off NSW this time – to keep the series more alive and exciting – or that we just lost the game, it was certainly a ‘big win’ for vocations as two men approached me on the night and said they would like to join Canali House next year,” Fr Orji said.

Canali House is already home to three men considering the priesthood in Brisbane.

Daniel O’Connor is one of three men from Queensland spending the next year in the house discerning the call to the priesthood.

The house provides Mr O’Connor a chance to continue studying or working while also praying about becoming a priest, or as was the case two weeks ago, for Queensland to win the State of Origin.

While he may have watched his beloved Queenslanders lose Game One in Australia’s greatest sporting rivalry, he believes the recent get-together to watch the series had some significant religious undertones.

Specifically, the night reminded him of how Jesus had meals with various groups to foster connections and community.

Related Stories

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

Church workers have helped more than 1.2 million Ukrainians during the war, Caritas says

Parishes unite for Logan deanery family festival this Sunday

Jesse Smith is another young man from the Nundah parish who is spending the year in Canali House.

He said State of Origin could still be a significant night in a priest’s pastoral ministry.

“The State of Origin is part our culture, and allows people to come together from all walks of life to support a team in a fun and light-hearted way,” Mr Smith said.

Fr Orji said when men gathered to watch their favourite sport, there was also a chance to talk about God’s plan for their future.

“Before the game started I spoke briefly on personal calling and future events at Canali House for discernment, prayer and social evenings, and in my mind one of the next big events will most likely be a World Cup game, between Australia and Nigeria, where Nigeria will beat Australia,” Fr Orji said.

“Regardless who wins or loses, it would be another ‘big win’ for Vocation Brisbane as young men would come again to discern and celebrate their vocations.

“Canali House is an open house for all young men who are discerning their vocation.”

For more information about Canali House or to talk about your call, contact Vocation Brisbane on 1300 133 544.

ShareTweet
Previous Post

Same-sex marriage story on protest outside a Brisbane church failed to ensure fairness and balance

Next Post

Students’ artwork takes Ripley centre stage

Emilie Ng

Emilie Ng is a Brisbane-based journalist for The Catholic Leader.

Related Posts

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Church workers have helped more than 1.2 million Ukrainians during the war, Caritas says
World

Church workers have helped more than 1.2 million Ukrainians during the war, Caritas says

18 May 2022
Parishes unite for Logan deanery family festival this Sunday
QLD

Parishes unite for Logan deanery family festival this Sunday

17 May 2022
Next Post
St Mary's student artwork

Students' artwork takes Ripley centre stage

Lisa Jackson

Single mother's hospital parking pain eased following government promises

money

Where big banks and Catholics can agree

Popular News

  • Angel’s Kitchen serves hot meals to the hungry in Southport

    Angel’s Kitchen serves hot meals to the hungry in Southport

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queensland election: The pro-life political parties committed to abortion law reforms

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

by Joe Higgins
20 May 2022
0

BRISBANE grandmother Gwendoline Grant has clocked up 15,000 hours cuddling and caring for sick and premature babies...

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Catholic relationship advisers offer five tips to look after your mental health

Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

19 May 2022
Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping