Redemptoris Mater Seminary Perth is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary.
A special Mass will be held next Thursday 15 August at 7pm at St Mary’s Cathedral for all friends of the Seminary to mark the occasion.
Officially inaugurated on the Feast of the Assumption on the 15August 1994, the now Archbishop Emeritus Hickey said at the time the Church of Perth was welcoming the appeal of the Holy Father on the eve of the third millennium for the new evangelisation.
“The Archdiocese has been the beneficiary of countless missionaries who love for the Saviour brought them over the seas to serve God’s people in “the South Land of the Holy Spirit,” Archbishop Emeritus Hickey said, in publishing the Decree of Erection.
“The sign of her maturity is now the opportunity for this Church to prepare and send missionaries to labour in the rich vineyard of today’s world,” he said.
“For this generation, the Holy Spirit has raised new apostolic realities capable of building the Church from the basis of a renewed understanding of the Gospel message,” he continued.
Following an experimental period, the inaugural 21 seminarians, led by Fr Michael Moore, together with then inaugural Vice Rector Fr Eric Skruzny and Spiritual Director, Fr Nicholas Falzun OP, were given a home in Morley, at the former Carmel Hospital (of the late Eileen Lalor).
The unique venture at the time joined 24 similar seminaries catering worldwide to an initiative by the Neocatechumenal Way.
Rector Fr Michael Moore said during the past 30 years he has witnessed the providence of God more times than he can count.
“In addition to the untiring support of the formators, the support of the University of Notre Dame; a home for the seminary at the former Carmel hospital, builders and new buildings; food on the table and many people who have befriended the seminary to name just a few of the blessings,” 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.”
Since its inauguration, Redemptoris Mater Seminary has seen the ordination of 44 priests, with three more deacons who are due to be ordained next year.
“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 August 15, 1994,” Fr Michael continued.
