The Missionaries of God's Love

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Joseph Neonbasu, from West Timor, came to the Missionaries after studying at the Divine Word Missionaries seminary in Flores, Indonesia. Joseph's brother, Fr Gregory Neonbasu SVD, who has been living at Queanbeyan presbytery while finishing a PhD in anthropology, concelebrated the Mass.

Two brothers from PNG also took vows. They are Michael Tal, from the Chimbu region, and Edward Ekari, from Tari in the Southern Highlands. Both had spent two years in a minor seminary in Madang before joining the MGLs. One Australian took vows, Mark Cummins, from Perth. Mark was with the Disciples Youth Mission Team before coming to the MGLs. The four newly professed brothers will begin their priestly formation in Melbourne, living in the MGL seminary house , and studying at Catholic Theological College.

In addition, seven brothers made promises at the end of their pre-novitiate year. They are Sam Burns, from Canberra, Tom Doran, from Queensland, Eddy Lering , from Indonesia, Tim Maima, James Yomban and Peter Kuraya, from PNG, and Larry Tolentino, from the Philippines. They are undertaking their novitiate year in Canberra.

Moderator Fr Ken Barker said the MGLs hoped to welcome more than a dozen recruits this year; one each from Canberra, Sydney, New Zealand, India, Kenya and Nigeria, three from PNG, three from the Philippines and two from Indonesia.

He said the first year was a time when "we sort things out a bit" with newcomers. It was not unusual for some to decide the lifestyle was not for them. While the MGLs took residence in the new Garran house only last year, they were now full in both formation houses at Garran and Red Hill.

Taking vows (from left): Edward Ekari, Michael Tal, Joseph Neonbasu and Mark Cummins.

Catholic Voice, February 2005