By Anthony Barich
THE number of priests in the diocese of Bunbury has risen to 28 after Bishop Gerard Holohan ordained Roshan Fernando and Francis Espiritu Constantino to the priesthood on 30 March at the diocese’s rebuilt St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Fr Roshan, 38, born in Sri Lanka, and Fr Francis, 31, from the Philippines, started their seminary studies in their own countries before completing them at St Charles’ Seminary in Guildford prior to ordination.
Some 53 priests from the diocese of Bunbury and the Archdiocese of Perth concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Holohan, including Bishop Francis de Leon from Fr Francis’ home in the Philippines, St Charles’ Seminary Rector Mgr Kevin Long, Redemptoris Mater Rector Fr Michael Moore, Bunbury Vicar General Fr Tony Chiera and Perth Vicar General Mgr Brian O’Loughlin.
More than 550 family, friends, parishioners, staff and supporters from Bunbury and the parishes in Perth and Bunbury where they served as Deacons also attended.
In his homily, Bishop Holohan first catechised the school children, then spoke directly to the Ordinands about the priestly ministry and responsibilities; and about being in companionship with Jesus.
Fr Francis was ordained to the Diaconate in the Parish of Manjimup, then spent time at St Thomas the Apostle Parish in Claremont and Our Lady of the Bay Parish in Busselton.
Fr Roshan was ordained to the Diaconate in the Parish of Mandurah, then spent his time as Deacon at St Joseph’s Parish, Manjimup and St Benedict’s Parish in Applecross.
Claremont Parish Priest Fr Charles Waddell and Applecross Parish Priest Fr Peter Whitely also concelebrated the Mass.
Both the young men had their parents from overseas present for the occasion. Fr Roshan’s parents assisted Fr Chiera with investiture, while Fr Francis’ parents helped Bishop Francis de Leon with investiture of stole and chasuble.
His father, Bernette Anthony Fernando, and his mother, Marie Museus Tissera, plus cousins Ayesha Tissera, Surangi Fernando and Shrimantha Fernando, travelled from Sr Lanka to see Fr Roshan’s ordination. Fr Francis’ father Virgilio, Nisperos Constantino, his mother, Teresita Espiritu Constantino, along with Noeme Ventanilla, Iene Constantino and John Erick Villa, came from the Philippines for him.
There also was a focus on Catholic education at the ordinations, as some 680 primary and secondary students from nine schools around the diocese attended the Ordination Mass, including 220 from Bunbury Catholic College, as well as students from Kearnan College in Manjimup, St Joseph’s Busselton, St Joseph’s Pinjarra, St Joseph’s Bunbury, St Mary’s Bunbury, Our Lady of the Cape in Dunsborough, Our Lady of Lourdes in Dardanup, Leschenault Catholic Primary School and MacKillop College.