Priesthood as a Vocation Takes Centre Stage at TOT
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
2 Mar 2010
Jessica Langrell at last night's Theology on Tap
Two weeks before Vocation Enquiry Day at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd at Homebush, the priesthood as a vocation took centre stage at this month's meeting of Sydney's popular Theology on Tap (TOT).
"We had a panel comprising an experienced priest, one that had just been ordained and a seminarian in his second year. Each of them spoke for about 10 minutes then the questions started," says TOT convenor, Jessica Langrell who says last night's Q and A session at TOT was not only the longest-ever, but the most successful to date.
"The questions kept flying for almost an hour and things were so interesting and it was such an intimate discussion, none of us wanted it to end," she says.
Along with the panel and the vibrant question time, Father Michael de Stoop, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Sydney was on hand to provide more information about a priestly vocation and to give those at TOT details of the up-coming Vocation Enquiry Day at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd on Sunday, 14 March.
Photo by Giovanni Portelli
"Last night's meeting of TOT really showed just how much young people are thirsting for knowledge about the priesthood and about life as a priest in 2010," Jessica says, adding that many of questions asked by those at TOT ranged from issues such as celibacy and marriage within the priesthood to curiosity about the life of a modern-day priest and what his duties and day to day life entailed.
There was also real interest from those possibly thinking about a priestly vocation who wanted to know how to recognise God's call.
"The calibre and different viewpoints from those on the panel was outstanding," she says.
The panel had been carefully chosen and comprised Father Anthony Percy, Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd; Melbourne's recently-ordained Dominican priest, Fr Vincent Magat OP; and TOT member, talented rugby player and second year seminarian, Lewi Barakat.
"Whether you were a girl or a guy, the discussion was fascinating and illuminating," Jessica says and believes several who attended Monday's meeting of TOT will follow this up by attending Vocation Enquiry Day at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in two weeks' time.
"It's the ideal opportunity for those thinking of becoming priests to gain a real insight into the priesthood as a vocation as well as learning about life as a seminarian," says Fr Michael de Stoop.
Part of the day will be consist of talks from staff at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd such as Fr Percy along with testimonies from seminarians currently studying there. There will also be time for questions. In addition those attending the Vocation Enquiry Day will be given guided tours of the Seminary and its grounds as well as a special tour of the Catholic Institute of Sydney at Strathfield where the majority of a seminarian's theological and academic studies take place.
To find out more about Vocation Enquiry Day on March 14, log on to the website of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd at www.sgs.org.au
