Redemptoris Mater Sydney
Newsletter
October 2022
Deacons Ronny & Zeljko with Bishop Richard Umbers.
Our two news deacons embracing for the Sign of Peace
with Fr Marlon watching on.
Bishop Umbers watching on as Deacons Ronny & Zeljko cut their cake!
Pilgrims gathered in the Broken Bay Cathedral.
Pilgrims at the Youth Vocational Meeting at the Light of Christ Centre, Broken Bay.
Our two Graduates with Fr Marlon, Dean of Studies and Fr Gerard Kelly from the Catholic Institute of Sydney.
Australian Missionary Families gathered at Porto San Giorgio.
Fr Eric on Day 2 along the Portuguese Way.
Fr Eric on the footsteps of Moses, the Patriachs and the Holy Family who passed a time in Egypt.
A 3D Architectural view of the new Chapel.
A sample of a ‘Mysterical Crown’ taken at RMS Macerata, Italy.
Diaconate Ordinations
On the 27th September, Memorial of St Vincent de Paul, Patron Saint of Redemptoris Mater Sydney, Most Reverend Richard Umbers, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney ordained two of our men to the Diaconate. In front of an assembly of over 500 faithful gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral, we witnessed the power and courage of the Lord who continues to call and consecrate workers for his harvest.
Deacon Ronny D’Cruz, originally from India, but having migrated to Australia for career purposes, encountered the Neo-catechumenal Way thanks to the personal witness and invitation extended by Fr John Hayes who was the Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish in Pagewood, Sydney.
Deacon Zeljko Evetovic, originally from Serbia, discovered his calling whilst ‘walking’ in his Community in the little town of Subotica in Serbia. Having followed all the empty promises offered by the prince of this world, eventually he discovered the ‘Path to Life’ thanks to the persistent work of his local catechists. The parents of both our brothers could not be present on this occasion, but we hope the Lord will open the doors for them to come to their Ordination to the Presbyterate next year.
Youth Pilgrimage
We were blessed to be able to be part of the first national pilgrimage of youth of the Neocatechumenal Way since the opening of our State borders post-covid. Around 400 pilgrims from around Australia, including Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney concluded their pilgrimage here in Sydney. Apart from the seminarians joining the NSW/ACT pilgrims, the seminary was able to offer support providing a venue and meals for the various groups passing through Sydney. Bishop Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay Diocese was delighted to welcome and to pray with the pilgrims at the conclusion of their itineraries, presiding over a vocational meeting where a number of young men also indicated that the Lord could be calling them to follow him as a presbyter. Some single women also ‘stood up’ to follow the Lord in a way to be discerned for them.
Academic Graduation
We know that the academic formation of seminarians is an important component. For some it is also quite challenging and humbling. Two of our men were able to see the fruit of their studies by graduating. In June, Zeljko completed his Bachelor Degree and Fr Josue managed to complete his Licentiate in Theology whilst on mission in Adelaide. Congratulations to both!
Sabbatical
Archbishop Fisher and the Archdiocese of Sydney was generous enough to suggest and to offer Fr Eric Sabbatical Leave which he took up with some reluctance! Inspired by the film “The Way”, starring Martin Sheen, he was given the opportunity to walk as a pilgrim from Tui (Spain) along the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostella, a total of 120 km.
Exodus Pilgrimage
Not to stir up more jealousy, but Fr Eric was also privileged to join a group of fellow priests formed at RMS Rome for a pilgrimaging tracing the footsteps of Moses from Egypt via Mount Sinai, Jordan to the Holy Land: a good reminder that we are all called to leave our slavery and live in freedom.
Development Approval for New Chapel
Just as the seminarians began their Prayer of Novena to St Vincent de Paul (Feast Day is the 27 September) came the magnificent news that our local Council Authority had granted Development Approval for our much needed Chapel. The Pandemic demonstrated the blessing of having a large seminary complex. Now we also believe that a serious beautiful chapel will also have a special impact on those who will come to worship and also admire the ‘Mysterical’ Crown of Icons that will adorn it.
CALL FOR HELP
The Lord has been generous to us through your good help. After 20 years we are still here! If you would like to help, please CLICK HERE or contact us.