By Dean Taberdo (Diocese of Darwin)
Second Year Seminarian
On 26 October 2016 Corpus Christi College held its farewell dinner for the outgoing rector, Very Rev Brendan Lane. The students and staff were joined by past and present College staff and friends of Fr Lane for Evening Prayer and Dinner. Our Chef, Mr Jeff Blew, prepared a scrumptious meal for all to enjoy. After dessert, the resident Spiritual Director Fr Laurie Leonard SJ gave a moving speech, honoring Fr Rector for his priestly and human virtues and for his paternal care and concern for all seminarians. Afterwards, Fr Lane was able to respond (with his typical wit, hilarious one-liners and anecdotes). On behalf of the seminary community, Rev Toan Nguyen delivered a message of thanks to the Rector and presented him some gifts- including a massive card that contains handwritten messages by students and staff. The tributes were topped off by a musical number by “The Trio”: Fr Cameron Forbes, Ed Moloney and Thinh Nguyen. They played songs such as “You Raise Me Up,” “I Still Call Australia Home,” and the Carlton Football Club song (because Fr Lane avidly barracks for the Blues!) on the electric keyboard, Cajon, accordion and Finally Fr Lane led everyone in singing the Salve Regina, in honor of the Blessed Mother.
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And from all of us: thank you, Father Brendan, for being the “parish priest” of this place, for being a mentor, a friend, a father to all of us and- as Fr Laurie said- for being a priest who “loves the sheep and loves the Shepherd.” We will always look back to these years you’ve shared with us with great fondness. As this era ends, we promise you our prayers and best wishes. May God, whom you have loved ardently and whom we have learned to love better by your example, bless you and keep you always.
