Kairos Catholic Journal: Volume 19, Issue 16

The Missionaries of God’s Love have outgrown their existing seminary in Melbourne and urgently need to build additional facilities to accommodate their growing number of seminarians.

With sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows at St Benedict’s Burwood, Archbishop Denis Hart launched the MGL Seminary Building Appeal during a moving liturgy on Saturday 16 August.

Standing before the many parishioners and guests who gathered in support of the MGLs and this ambitious project, Archbishop Hart expressed his deep admiration of the charism of the Missionaries and extended his complete support to the MGLs.

During his homily, Archbishop Hart reminded those present of the special power of a vocation to the priesthood. Quoting from Pope Benedict XVI’s homily during Holy Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 19 July 2008, Archbishop Hart said that priests “are consecrated, set apart for the service of God and the building up of his kingdom”. He added that the special vocation of the MGLs was “to show the love and truth of God in our midst”.

Archbishop Hart committed the Archdiocese to do whatever it could to support the MGLs, and extended an invitation to others to provide whatever support that they could, “so that the great vision of the missionaries and their joy, peace and conformity to the life of the Cross, which, while emptying self is life-giving, will be their watchword so that many people will benefit from all that they give”.

Archbishop Hart also reminded those attending the launch that the MGLs “need our prayer, our help and our financial support. Even a cursory glance at the vibrant young members of the community, and the small and inadequate facilities, makes us realise that we must make adequate provision, trusting as they do in God’s Providence, for a proper seminary building for them.”

Fr Ken Barker, Moderator of the MGLs, said a few words of thanks at the end of the Liturgy. He spoke about the urgent need for more holy priests with the fire to evangelise and of the impact this seminary will have on the spiritual landscape of Melbourne and beyond.

The MGLs were delighted that so many people took the opportunity after the Liturgy to walk through the existing seminary and then join them for afternoon tea at the parish hall. They trust the Lord will inspire many to share in this vital work for the Church by supporting the MGL Seminary Building Appeal.

For further information about the MGL Seminary
Building Appeal, contact Fr Steve Fletcher.
Donations can be made online or by mail to
Fr Ken Barker at 6 Boake Place, Garran ACT 2605.