After some troubles with hiring a car to move my belongings from Sydney to Melbourne I managed to hit the road and after 10 hours I got to my new home: St Mary's Seminary, Mulgrave, Vic. Following days were very busy as I had to finalize my trip to the Philippines and organize some other stuff for my time away. During my packing process I had a visit from Fr Cornelius Ngoka OMI who is part of General Administration in Rome. Fr Cornelius is responsible for Formation in the Oblate Congregation. During his visit I also met Fr Leo Mifsud OMI, our New Provincial who once again offered me his support for my new ministry in the Seminary.
During that short time in Melbourne I went to our church in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula to visit Fr John Hannah OMI. I found Fr John in good spirit in spite of various health issues he is struggling with. I am always moved by his deep faith which is evident in his cheerfulness and friendship he extends to so many around him. I remember my beginnings Down Under when Fr John was PP in Sorrento. From my first visit to the place he made me feel so welcome that even now after a number of years in Australia and a few parishes I have been to, every time I go to Sorrento I feel like going home.
On 6th of April I got on the plane to Manila and after 8 hours I got safe and sound to the Capital of the Philippines. By the way, when dinner was served during the flight the young man sitting next to me got his chicken before me and started eating. When my chicken was served I blessed myself and said a quire grace. Then the fellow next to me put the for and knife aside and he blessed himself as well saying his grace. I think that sometimes we don't value how important this simple prayers are. Upon arrival, once again I experienced great hospitality of the local Oblates. I got spoilt as they picked me up from the airport and transported to the Oblate Seminary here where I was staying until the beginning of the course. Talking about being spoilt, I can't forget beautiful, hot and sticky weather that welcomed me to this tropical place. After freezing nights in Melbourne it was a welcome change. The seminary in Manila is very boring at the moment as the students are on their summer holidays. Anyway I had a chance to spend some time with Fr Hillario who is still in the seminary but shortly will move south to Cotobato to look after the novices. Fr Hill will be my classmates during this course in Manila.
A few photos of the Oblate Seminary in Manila :)
During that short time in Melbourne I went to our church in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula to visit Fr John Hannah OMI. I found Fr John in good spirit in spite of various health issues he is struggling with. I am always moved by his deep faith which is evident in his cheerfulness and friendship he extends to so many around him. I remember my beginnings Down Under when Fr John was PP in Sorrento. From my first visit to the place he made me feel so welcome that even now after a number of years in Australia and a few parishes I have been to, every time I go to Sorrento I feel like going home.
On 6th of April I got on the plane to Manila and after 8 hours I got safe and sound to the Capital of the Philippines. By the way, when dinner was served during the flight the young man sitting next to me got his chicken before me and started eating. When my chicken was served I blessed myself and said a quire grace. Then the fellow next to me put the for and knife aside and he blessed himself as well saying his grace. I think that sometimes we don't value how important this simple prayers are. Upon arrival, once again I experienced great hospitality of the local Oblates. I got spoilt as they picked me up from the airport and transported to the Oblate Seminary here where I was staying until the beginning of the course. Talking about being spoilt, I can't forget beautiful, hot and sticky weather that welcomed me to this tropical place. After freezing nights in Melbourne it was a welcome change. The seminary in Manila is very boring at the moment as the students are on their summer holidays. Anyway I had a chance to spend some time with Fr Hillario who is still in the seminary but shortly will move south to Cotobato to look after the novices. Fr Hill will be my classmates during this course in Manila.
A few photos of the Oblate Seminary in Manila :)
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