By Jackson Saunders
The Sandhurst Diocese has a new priest, Fr Dean Bongat.
Fr Dean was ordained to the priesthood by the Bishop of Sandhurst, Les Tomlinson, in a moving two-hour ceremony at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.
About 600 people were present at the seminary, which included music from the Sacred Heart Cathedral and Filipino choirs.
The concelebrants at the ordination Mass included the Vicar General, Fr Rom Hayes, and Chancellor, Fr Tony Shallue, as well as priests of the Sandhurst Diocese, Corpus Christi College and beyond.
After the Mass, Fr Dean gave a heartfelt word of thanks to all who had gathered for the ceremony.
The ordination Mass was followed by a guard of honour outside the Cathedral, first blessings and then an afternoon reception at St Kilian’s Parish Hall, which about 300 people attended.
Slideshow pictures below: Joseph Nguyen.
