A GROUP of young parishioners in Our Lady of the Southern Cross Parish (OLSC), Springfield, relished the chance to play in a soccer match against a team from Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary recently.
Seminary rector Monsignor Tony Randazzo visited the parish on November 11 with a group of seminarians.
They joined the parish community for 9am Mass.
Msgr Randazzo celebrated Mass with parish priest Fr Mauro Conte.
Seminarian Neville Yun, who is on a pastoral placement in Springfield, said at the end of Mass, Msgr Randazzo offered “some challenging words in regards to vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life”.
The rector said each of us had a responsibility to ask young people whether they had considered a religious vocation.
He said it was crucial that we did not simply ask the question once but it should become an ongoing conversation in our families, our schools, amongst our friends and beyond.
The question was raised “Do you think we have any vocations in OLSC parish?”
Msgr Randazzo’s reply was “Absolutely.”
He said it was God who called men and women to religious life but it was we, the Church, who confirmed that call.
Msgr Randazzo said it was really our mandate to promote, encourage and identify vocations who in turn would serve the Church and God.
After Mass the seminarians mingled with parishioners and shared a cup of tea and coffee.
Then it was time for the soccer match – the first invitational match between the OLSC parish team and the seminarians.
Recently ordained Deacon Stanley Orji while doing his pastoral internship in 2012 at OLSC founded the soccer team.
The team continues to play every Sunday afternoon on the St Augustine’s school fields.
OLSC scored the first goal, but the seminarians responded immediately with several goals.
The OLSC team was made up mainly of 30-40-year-olds as well as a number of youngsters.
A parish spokesperson said the young players dictated the game up front and the seminarians were often in two minds how to attack and defend against their smaller opponents.
By the end of the first half, Fr Mauro had returned from baptismal duties and was helping the home side remain competitive.
The rest of the second half was a close battle with the score tied and eventually ending in a 7-all draw.
The seminarians remarked that they were surprised at the quality of the OLSC team and were sore and sorry the following day.
The parish spokesperson said Deacon Orji, the “golden boy of Springfield”, played on both teams during the match and copped a lot of flak for being a “turncoat”.
The day ended with a lavish barbecue organised by parishioners and seminarians.
Parishioners turned out in force to support the match and provided hospitality throughout the day.
Plans are being made for a re-match in February 2013.
