Fr Paul Marshall, Rector of the Diocese of Parramatta’s Holy Spirit Seminary, provides an update on the formation opportunities for the young men discerning their vocation to the priesthood.
The 2025 intake of seminarians
In April this year, we welcomed four new seminarians to Holy Spirit Seminary – Anthony Anning, Tam Thanh Nguyen, Van Hiep Nguyen (John) and Van Phu Dang (Anthony). Anthony Anning recently completed a degree in Melbourne and the latter three have joined us from Vianney College, Wagga Wagga.
Combined team claim “Golden Boot” at Inter-Seminary Soccer Tournament
On 11 October, our Holy Spirit Seminary participated in the inter-seminary soccer tournament at the Holy Spirit Seminary in Brisbane.
Combining with members of Vianney College, Wagga Wagga, our Parramatta seminarians competed against teams from Brisbane, the Archdiocese of Melbourne (Corpus Christi College), Archdiocese of Sydney (Good Shepherd Seminary) and the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Chester Hill.
With wins over both Brisbane and Melbourne, our seminarians were up against the depth and skills of a polished Good Shepherd team in the finals. Sydney took the overall trophy with their superior firepower.
Under the brilliant captaincy of Van Phu Dang (Anthony), we secured the coveted “Golden Boot Award” for the individual who kicked the most goals in the tournament. The award went to Anthony Anning with a tally of 5 goals.
Seminarian Anthony Anning (fifth left) with his Holy Spirit Seminary brothers, claims the Golden Boot trophy following the Inter-Seminary Soccer Tournament in Brisbane. Image: Supplied
Opportunity for growth at gathering of Seminary Rectors
At a gathering of seminary rectors from around Australia in Brisbane on 9-10 October, preceding the soccer tournament, one of our speakers discussed how the vice of nostalgia carried into priesthood can turn people against the virtue of hope: nostalgia wants us to live in the past, but the theological virtue of hope is an antidote to nostalgia – “Now is the day of salvation” (see also the Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 1817 and 1818).
Quoting from Revelation 2.7 – “Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” – Fr Orm Rush from the Diocese of Townsville spoke about the need for all members of the Church to listen to the Holy Spirit. He explained that everyone has something to learn from each other and we all need to learn to be attuned to the Holy Spirit moving among us. He called for all forms of formation to go back to God’s own style, which is closeness, compassion and tender love.
Robert Schroeter spoke on social media and the Mission of the Church. He said the Church is turning social media around for the good through Snapchat, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, X and Facebook. The art of influence, he said, is not to become an expert in the vast number of media platforms out there but, rather, to know how to understand people.
Seminarians of the Holy Spirit Seminary. Image: Supplied
Priestly Formation for the 21st Century
Over the past three years, the Seminary team has offered three workshops to help our men live with the ambiguities of life: emotionally healthy spirituality; emotionally healthy discipleship and emotionally healthy leadership. Coupled with workshops hosted by the Diocese’s Office for Safeguarding, we equip our seminarians with the necessary tools for effective pastoral ministry.
The Ratio Fundamentalis (2016) document from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy and our National Ratio (2025) – which adapts the Roman document for our Australian context – prioritise human formation over the academic formation. After the Synod in Rome, increasing emphasis is being given to seminary formation and especially the need for formation for synodal leadership.
As younger priests increasingly self-identify as politically and theologically ‘conservative’, there is a desire for clear guidance from the teaching of the Church. Seminary formation, therefore, attempts to help the men learn how to live with ambiguity in a way that is healthy, rather than shying away.
Thank you for your support in 2025
As we approach the end of this year, we look forward to a number of our men receiving Candidacy, another stage of progression towards ordination. A number of our seminarians are in various pastoral placements in parishes around our Diocese, gaining experience of pastoral realities.
We are grateful for the support given us over the year, to our many benefactors and those who sustain us with your prayers from across the Diocese.
With sincere thanks to all who give so much by way of love and service for the formation of our seminarians.
God bless!
Fr Paul Marshall,
Rector of Holy Spirit Seminary
The formation opportunities provided at the Holy Spirit Seminary align with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan’s priorities of Formation and Mission. Visit Synodality to learn more.
