By Anthony Wright
It was with great joy that we welcomed members of the Serra Club from all over Victoria to join us at Corpus Christi College on Sunday, April 18. Being the first chance to welcome guests to the College in over a year, it seemed only appropriate that it should be the Serrans celebrating with us. Undoubtedly, it was their prayers that provided the imputes for many of the young men here at Corpus Christi to enter the seminary in the first place. It was a particularly happy occasion for both my cousin, Xavier Ryan, and I to welcome our grandparents, Wilma and John McCormack, who have been praying for vocations for many years as part of the Bendigo Serra Club.
Anthony Wright (left) is pictured with Wilma and John McCormack, along with his cousin, Xavier Ryan (right).
Having two grandsons join the seminary in the same year is a beautiful reminder of the efficacy of the Serran’s prayers and I am certain that these prayers were instrumental in inspiring me forward in my own vocation. The day itself was a fantastic opportunity to reciprocate enthusiasm and joy amongst seminarians and Serrans alike.
Back row: From left to right, Bernie Roney (Bendigo Serra Club), Maria O’Donnell (Formator), Jackson Saunders and Ezekiel Hangan (Sandhurst seminarians) and Frank Harrop (Bendigo Serra Club).
Front row: From left to right, Ray Pysing and Tom Fallon (Bendigo Serra Club members), Adonis Peña (Sandhurst seminarian), Jamie Castillo (Melbourne seminarian), John McCormack, Frank and Ronnie Graham, Wilma McCormack (Bendigo Serra Club members) and Dominic Manatad (Sandhurst seminarian).
Coming together to celebrate Mass was another powerful reminder of the centrality of prayer in all our lives. Following the Mass, there was an opportunity to share a meal (a delicious one at that) and also to share our own experiences and stories. Overall, the day was a fantastic opportunity to share our gratitude as seminarians for all the Serrans have done and continue to do for us. The day also had the great benefit of encouraging all of us to renew our prayers for vocations. A hearty thank you must be offered to all the students, staff and Serrans who helped make the day what it was.
From left to right; Anthony Wright, John McCormack, Jackson Saunders, Wilma McCormack and Xavier Ryan.