By Patrick Toohey
Student
THE Holy Spirit quietly works in the hearts of all people to enable them to become more than they even know themselves. In the hearts of five Perth men, the Holy Spirit has planted the seed of priesthood for the people of Perth.
Kent Hodgson attended Corpus Christi College at Bateman during his schooling years. He attended Willetton parish where he served as a youth leader and has completed a Bachelor of Health Science Degree before entering the Seminary.
Mark Rucci’s journey back to God began with a search for the truth at 33. Within years, he had been reconfirmed in the Catholic faith. Whist working in the mining industry in the last five years, he felt the call to priesthood.
Scott Peacock was a retail manager for a large food chain. In 2003, he converted to Catholicism. He felt the call to priesthood ever since his conversion to which he has now responded.
Michael Scartaccini was a student at Hope Christian College in Bunbury. He worked as a retail manager for a year and a half. Out of admiration for a number of priests and the work they did, Michael began to feel attracted to being a priest himself.
I was a primary school teacher for about 20 years in a variety of government schools and have been a University of Notre Dame Australia Theology student since 2007. Whilst studying theology at Boston College in 2008, it was suggested to me by a professor that I may be a suitable candidate for the priesthood as a late vocation.
The voice of God is gentle but insistent. These men have stepped forward to discern their priestly vocation. Please keep these five men in your daily prayers.
St Charles’ Seminary has a Vocation Awareness Day on Sunday, 15 May. Any man 17 years or over discerning the call of the priesthood can contact Fr John O’Reilly on 9279 1310.