TOOWOOMBA Bishop Robert McGuckin celebrated a Mass for nine seminarians who took their next steps towards priesthood at Holy Spirit Chapel, Banyo, on September 17. Bishop McGuckin instituted five men to the ministry of lector and four to the ministry of acolyte. Seminary formation director Fr Frank Jones said it was fantastic to see the seminarians taking their next steps ... Read More »
Tag Archives: seminary
PNG Cardinal John Ribat speaks of the gift and challenges of sexuality
A CARDINAL best known for defending Pacific island nations swamped by the impacts of climate change has spoken candidly of another challenge – his own daily commitment to be a priest. “The question really is how do I live my life in relation to the formation but also the sexuality that is deep within us. How do you live that?” ... Read More »
Fr Josh Whitehead and Fr Brendan Gormley become Brisbane archdiocese’s newest shepherds
FATHERS Josh Whitehead and Brendan Gormley became Brisbane archdiocese’s newest shepherds at their ordination to priesthood at St Stephen’s Cathedral on Friday, May 31. Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge celebrated the ordination, which was attended by dozens of priests from across the archdiocese, including Auxiliary Bishop Ken Howell and Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Tony Randazzo, former Holy Spirit Seminary rector. Fr Whitehead ... Read More »
Seminarian friends ‘fair dinkum’ about serving the Church as priests
TRUE friends share everything – even the emotional day they become priests. Fr Thomas Zaranski, 32, and Fr Damien Everitt, 43, first met in 2015 as trainee priests for Holy Spirit Seminary Queensland. They took their friendship to the next level when Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge ordained both men priests on June 29, the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul, ... Read More »
State of Origin has deeper meaning for men discerning the call to the priesthood
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 ... Read More »
Sr Ursula O’Rourke on preparing future priests for their primary ministry – celebrating the Mass
SISTER Ursula O’Rourke has a job that takes her to the depths of the mystery of Christ. She’s one of two women on the formation team at Queensland’s Holy Spirit Seminary at Banyo, and she specialises in liturgy. That means she has a hand in preparing future priests for a key role in their ministry – the celebration of the ... Read More »
Young Townsville man answers call to serve North Queensland
YOUNG Townsville man William Brennan has entered the priesthood at a time when the Catholic Church and priests are under more scrutiny than ever. Mr Brennan entered Holy Spirit Seminary at Banyo recently to begin his formation to become a priest for Townsville diocese. The young seminarian, who spent most of his childhood in Charters Towers, said he was almost ... Read More »
Seven young men make ‘heroic’ entry into Banyo seminary
YOUNGER faces will be a common sight at Queensland’s Holy Spirit seminary this year as seven men under 30 began their studies for the priesthood this week. Brisbane archdiocese welcomed seven young men to the seminary on February 11, making it the largest local intake in years. The cohort includes two Vietnamese men who were invited to study at the ... Read More »
Seminarian Josh Whitehead’s barbecue mission for homeless hits the spot
IT’S Friday night. Burger patties and onion rings are sizzling on the barbecue hotplate in the grounds of Maroochydore’s new Stella Maris Church. Seminarian Josh Whitehead is strumming his guitar and singing, as some of the regular patrons start to arrive – men, women and children – in need of a free meal and some good company. Maroochydoore’s barbecue ministry ... Read More »