Priests need to be ‘servant leaders’, says Bishop Vincent.
The Catholic Church needs priests who are “servant leaders” for what Pope Francis sees as a new era where the Church “is called to come out of itself, to open up to the peripheries,” says Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta.
Spoken during his homily at the 11am Solemn Mass, on 3 March at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta, Bishop Vincent celebrated the commencement of the 2024 academic year for the seminarians at Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park.
The Holy Spirit Seminary currently has seven seminarians, five of whom are undertaking full-time placements, and two part-time placements, in parishes during Semester 1.
Seminarians from the Diocese’s Holy Spirit Seminary (L-R) Jeffrey Hood, Jose Valentine Lim, Menard Gaspi, Paul Tran, Macky Amores and Jason Irawan. Missing is Luke Huynh. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
During Mass, one of the seminarians, Menard Gaspi, undertook the Rite of Admission to Candidacy where he affirmed his vows, one of which was: Do you resolve to prepare yourself in mind and spirit, to give faithful service to Christ the Lord and His body the Church?
Menard’s Rite of Admission to Candidacy means “he will grow in the spirituality of the diocesan priest and increase his awareness of the importance of belonging to the Diocese and strengthening his bond with the local church,” said Fr Paul Marshall, Rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary.
Seminarian Menard Gaspi (right) during his Rite of Admission to Candidacy during Mass for the commencement of the academic year of the Holy Spirit Seminary at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Joined by his family and friends, Menard said after Mass “This ceremony ritualises my desire and consent to be ordained. The Church makes a formal recognition confirming my calling and formation to the Priesthood.
“It was a heart-warming moment to hear confirmation of this co-discernment. I feel like I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It is something I treasure and gives me a lot of hope and excitement to persevere.
“Together with family and friends, it was a long-awaited and very special moment of celebration. Many have been with me from the beginning of my priestly formation and I am grateful for their love and support.
“I thank the Bishop and the Seminary staff who have supported me during my years in the Diocese. I am now assigned to St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens as I prepare for Ordination,” he said.
Seminarian Menard Gaspi (fourth right) with members of his family following his Rite of Admission to Candidacy during Mass for the commencement of the academic year of the Holy Spirit Seminary at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Bishop Vincent said Menard was well on the way to becoming a priest for this era, especially after his recent Mission immersion in the Northern Territory.
“He not only survived but thrived at Santa Theresa Mission among the Indigenous people in Central Australia,” he said of Menard’s recent two-month immersion in Alice Springs.
“So we commend him and his fellow seminarians in our prayers as they journey towards their priestly consecration, their reconfiguration in Christ,” he said.
Along with all our seminarians, Menard asks for your prayers and support.
“I ask for your prayers, support, and encouragement as I continue to say Yes to the Lord,” said Menard.
To find out more about a vocation to the priesthood in the Diocese of Parramatta, visit www.parracatholic.org/seminary, contact the Holy Spirit Seminary or the Director of Vocations: Priesthood, Fr Galbert Albino, on vocations@parracatholic.org
If you would like to donate to the Holy Spirit Seminary, please go here.
View images from the Holy Spirit Seminary Commencement Mass here or below:
