Bendigo’s Wilma and John McCormack have been stalwarts of the Serra Club for many years praying for vocations. Recently they visited their two grandsons, Anthony Wright and Xavier Ryan, who are both first-year seminarians, for Mass and lunch at the seminary.

A formal farewell for former Vice-Rector, Fr Cameron Forbes, was held last Wednesday, April 21, at the seminary’s community dinner after it had been postponed at the end of last year. Rector, Fr Denis Stanley, offered a toast to Fr Cameron, who is now Parish Priest of Mentone, on behalf of all staff and students.

Fr Jessie Banez has been ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Hobart. Fr Jessie came to Corpus Christi College in Carlton in 2016 from the Philippines to finish his studies for the priesthood.

Fourth-year Sandhurst seminarian, Ezekiel Hangan (pictured second from the right), assisted at the Holy Week and Easter ceremonies at St Kilian’s in Bendigo at a total of 11 ceremonies. Ezekiel recalls the experience for us here.

“Whether in inner-city Melbourne or in rural Victoria, we behold the same Wood of the Lord’s Cross on Good Friday, hear the same Psalms, and stand around the same Paschal Fire at the Easter Vigil.” Second-year, Melbourne seminarian, Nicolas Calandra, reflects on his parish pastoral Easter placement in Castlemaine Parish.

“On a personal level, I am particularly passionate about my involvement with the Dinner as it has allowed me to get to know so many of our amazing seminarians.” Andrew Vaccaro, Secretary of the Knights of the Southern Cross Priests Support and Education Fund, on why he is so passionate about the Archbishop’s Dinner scheduled to take place this year on August 20.

“The parishioners’ deep faith in God strengthened mine. Their desire for Mass and devotional prayer with Our Lady together with committed service and generosity for the Church, taught me how to live my faith, to listen to the voice of Christ the Good Shepherd.” Melbourne seminarian, An Le, writes about his parish experience.