By Jackson Saunders
A Bishop, a Vicar General and a parish priest have been among the guest speakers at Corpus Christi College's Wednesday night community dinners this year.
Bishop of Ballarat, Bishop Paul Bird; Melbourne Vicar General, Monsignor Greg Bennett, and Box Hill Parish Priest, Fr Tony Kerin, were guests at the seminary in term one to talk about the priestly life.
The Wednesday night community talks are an opportunity for staff and seminarians to gather as a community and enjoy some time together. This is a highlight of the weekly seminary program.
Rector, Fr Denis Stanley, also hopes that these occasions will provide a moment to listen to priests share their stories and pastoral insights from ministry.
Bishop Paul Bird spoke on Wednesday, March 21, about the qualities that he has come to admire in priests across his Diocese in his six years as Bishop of Ballarat.
This was the third Wednesday night guest speaker that our seminary has been privileged to be able to host.
Bishop Paul Bird of Ballarat with his seminarians (from left to right), Peter Cay, Bill Lowry and Matthew Restall.
Melbourne Archdiocese Vicar General, Monsignor Greg Bennett, in his talk spoke about his vocation story, memories from his seminary days and his work in the Vicar General's Office. He also discussed some of the challenges and opportunities we face as future priests. This was the seminary's first Wednesday night community talk for 2018.
Fr Tony Kerin, who is the parish priest of Box Hill and the Episcopal Vicar for Life, Marriage and Family in the Melbourne Archdiocese, gave the second talk for the year. Fr Tony's talk looked at social issues such as family life and euthanasia, and the work which has been done to promote the sanctity of life.
More Wednesday night community talks with guest speakers are planned at the seminary for throughout the year.