By Jordan McBroom
Amid the current seven-day circuit-breaker lockdown of which Victoria was plunged into on Thursday evening, I decided to look back and reflect on the joyous moments of the first-year brother-bonding Saturdays.
Graciously facilitated by the seminary’s episcopal trustees each week until Easter this year, we ventured out for a Saturday of fun. The purpose of these outings was to help foster a brotherly bond between us as new seminarians and to help us acclimatise naturally to seminary life.
For six Saturdays, my year-brothers and I relaxed, basked in the warmth of the Melbourne sun and enjoyed each other’s company and activity. My esteemed year-brother, Andrew Tran, introduced the group to the fine art of bouldering. The illustrious Xavier Ryan provided us with a great location in Werribee Park Mansion, which was the old seminary estate from 1923 to 1973, and a place which he was keen to visit.
Fr Denis Stanley, Fr Ed Moloney and the first-years during their visit at the Werribee Mansion.
Xavier’s cousin, the perpetually cheerful and consummate gentleman, Anthony Wright, suggested the exhilarating experience of go-karting. The perfectly tempered Gregory Lewis, or ‘Gregory the Great,’ as I call him, offered a trampoline paradise called ‘Bounce.’ The stoic and highly insightful Gerard Martin saw great wisdom in the group going to an all-you-can-eat China Bar, which proved to be wonderfully accurate. I, myself, organised a morning of kayaking on the Yarra River, which is a hobby I so immensely enjoy. After kayaking, we arrived at the home of Xavier’s family for some blissful date scones which were made by his mother, Mary Ryan.
From front to back kayaking in the Yarra River; Andrew Tran, Fr Ed Moloney, Greg Lewis, Gerard Martin, Jordan McBroom, Anthony Wright and Xavier Ryan.
Additionally, we were thrilled to be guided around Bendigo by Fr Jake Mudge, the director of pastoral work at the seminary. Bendigo is his neck of the woods, and as they say, “always get a native guide!” On one Saturday, the Hangan family welcomed us with unbelievable hospitality. Clare Hangan invited us to her home, presenting a spread, which would have made even the Romans jealous. Although I had heard of Mrs Hangan’s benevolence to seminarians and incredible scones throughout the seminary, it was only once I experienced it for myself that I was able to comprehend her goodness.
From left to right; Anthony Wright, Andrew Tran, Xavier Ryan, Gerard Martin, Jordan McBroom and Fr Ed.
Like good ole Ballarat priests do, our first-year formator, Fr Edward (Ed) Moloney, kept up with our pace and actively participated in the activities. He is the definition of a good priest and an inspiration to us all.
First-year formator, Fr Ed Moloney, takes part in bouldering, which was one of the Saturday activities.
Once we returned to the seminary in the evening on these Saturdays, we would go out to dinner with our distinguished Rector, which was always a highlight.
Each Saturday was a unique escapade and a tremendous way for us to get to know each other better and be thankful for God’s presence within our lives and within the group.
God is good; he is indeed.