Photo: Ron Tan/Archdiocese of Perth.
The Lord has a way of letting us know the way forward, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has said, in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Perth’s Redemptoris Mater Seminary.
Concelebrating the occasion with Bishop Sproxton was Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn, Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey, Seminary Rector Michael Moore SM, Fr Tony Trafford from the National Responsible team of the Neocatechumenal Way, Cathedral Assistant Fr Kenneth Acosta as MC and assisted by Deacon Jupiter Bin Justin.
Redemptoris Mater, meaning Mother of the Redeemer in Latin, operate under the auspices of the Neocatechumenal Way and have as their mission the formation of diocesan priests for the new evangelisation. There are more than 120 Redemptoris Mater Seminaries worldwide.
Several priests from the Archdiocese of Perth also concelebrated, many of those who had attended Redemptoris Mater Seminary for their formation, while seminarians from both St Charles and Redemptoris Mater served as acolytes.
Speaking about the historical events that led to the inauguration of Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Bishop Sproxton said Redemptoris Mater is known and respected for living in the providence of God.
“The fruits of Gods providence are the 44 priests and three deacons who have been ordained,” Bishop Sproxton emphasised.
“And we should include the men who came to the seminary to discern deeply if priesthood was their true calling from God. Every one of them have received something in the formation that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives, in whatever vocation they follow,” he continued.
This spirit of providence, explained Bishop Sproxton, enables the priests and deacons to minister with freedom in whichever mission is proposed to them: whether it be in their home here in the Archdiocese of Perth or in another local church.
“The seminary has provided the Archdiocese with the ability to send priests to those places for the new evangelisation, as Archbishop Hickey emphasised on that day of the foundation,” Bishop Don said.
Recalling the inauguration of Redemptoris Mater Perth, Rector Fr Michael Moore said today all of us, filled with wonder and awe, reap and enjoy the fruits of a small seed sown, in one of the most isolated cities of the world, on the night of 15 August 1994.
“In these 30 years I have had the privilege to see this seminary appear out of nothing,” Fr Michael said.
“What is written in the Book of Deuteronomy has been fulfilled: “in all those years that I (Yahweh) led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet,” he continued.
Speaking about their role as the National Responsibles of the Neocatechumenal Way in Australia, Toto and Rita Piccolo and Fr Tony Trafford, said they profoundly thank God for his help, through the intercession of the Mother of his Son, in preparing and sustaining many seminarians to discern their vocation.
“What had been a very small nursing home called Mt Carmel started to become, always through God’s providence, the beautiful and attractive Redemptoris Mater Seminary we know.
“More than 40 presbyters have been ordained and are spending their lives announcing the Gospel in Perth, around Australia, and in the other continents,” Mr Piccolo said, speaking on behalf of the responsible team.
“We are very grateful to the founders of the Neocatechumenal Way, Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez (dec) whose vision and courage have given to the Church more than 120 Redemptoris Mater Seminaries throughout the world.
“May the Lord reward them immensely for this gift to our generation. We also thank Archbishop Emeritus Hickey for his courage and foresight in requesting the seminary, and our current Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, who has accepted and believed in the vital mission of the Seminary for the Church of today,” Mr Piccolo concluded.
Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey also spoke about his experience of the inauguration of Redemptoris Mater Seminary, saying he was not sure he was making the right decision.
“Tonight has been a wonderful experience for me personally; the memory of Gods hand and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to make me take a step, but I wasn’t all that sure I was making the right decision,” Archbishop Emeritus Hickey explained.
“How can a diocese have two seminaries,” he said, in recalling his thoughts.
The need for a missionary seminary became evident, Archbishop Hickey added, remembering it was the Holy Spirit and prayer and faith of other people who spoke to him about the need for a Redemptoris Mater Seminary and news of how they were spreading around the world.
“We needed a missionary seminary, and that convinced me. It had to be special, and it has been,” he said.