The Church had planned to demolish much of the Mosgiel building - unaware that Heritage Protection would save it.

No to demo

Former leaseholder - Taste Nature owner Clinton Chambers - deserves thanks for the building's last-minute reprieve.

That's because, unknown to the Church, he had applied for it to be given heritage status.

He had nominated the buildings for heritage protection when he applied to the Dunedin City Council for a grant so he could make repairs to its roof.

Chambers was hoping to transform the seminary complex into a holistic health and sustainability centre and community hub.

But his plans came to nothing last month when the Church declined his proposal for the seminary complex's future.

Despite missing out on his business plans, Chambers is welcoming the seminary's likely protection as a "very worthwhile step in the right direction" for a building with "significant heritage value".

Knock it down

Chambers says he didn't know the Church told him it was considering knocking the seminary down until some time after he nominated the building for protection.

"I said what are you going to do with the property? They said that there were a number of options and one of them was demolition."

Just which parts of the building were in the Church's sights for demolition is not clear.

However the Catholic diocese's Dunedin operations manager Paul Olsen said the part of the building known as the Burns Block (chapel, pictured) was a "recognised historic building worthy of heritage protection" and there were no plans to demolish that part.

The new heritage asset

A Dunedin City Council spokesperson said a heritage assessment for the seminary has been completed.

The spokesperson said the building has been proposed for inclusion on its heritage schedule. That schedule will be announced next week under a district plan change.

The seminary includes a commercial kitchen, a dining room, a large chapel, a lecture theatre and accommodation for 100 people.

The council spokesperson said a decision about a heritage grant to repair the building had been deferred until after its status has been reviewed.

Source

• ODT

The appointment has been confirmed by the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelisation.

Fr David is at present the Human Formator at Holy Cross. He will take over the role in April from the present Interim Rector, Bishop Emeritus Colin Campbell.

Holy Cross Seminary is the national seminary for the education and formation of diocesan priests for the Catholic Church in New Zealand. Read more

More than 50 firefighters spent hours trying to save the building on Riccarton Rd after a "significant" fire erupted about 5.20pm on Friday.

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch bishop's pastoral office director Mike Stopforth said the diocese used the building as the national seminary for priests.

Stoppforth told Stuff "the chapel was the most significant part of the hall for the diocese and had significant stained glass windows."

He described the loss as "sad",

Holy Name Seminary was opened in 1947 and closed at the end of 1978.

The seminary was in effect a boys' secondary school for the training of those boys who wished to become priests in later life.

Holy Cross College, the major seminary, became overcrowded in the 50s and it was necessary from 1954 to house the philosophy students elsewhere.

They were sent to Holy Name Seminary, and year by year the school studies diminished and were replaced by philosophy.

During the 1970s the decrease in student numbers raised the question of amalgamating Holy Name Seminary and Holy Cross College.

Holy Name Seminary closed at the end of the 1978 academic year.

The Church continued to run the property as a private hostel for university students. It was known as Campion Hall until 1980.

It was then sold to the Luisetti family. They managed the property as a boarding house and reception venue.

Antonio Hall was bought by Wellstar Co Limited in 1993. Its slow decline into a decrepit condition started then.

Wellstar reportedly had plans to turn the site into motels but nothing came of them.

It remained unoccupied and earthquakes only accelerated damage caused by years of neglect.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with arson.

• stuff.co.nz
• wikipedia.org
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: antoniohall.org.nz

NZCBC president and Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn said the bishops considered three options: remediate, rebuild or relocate. Continue reading in NZCatholic

Recently returned from Palestine, Br Mark has been a De La Salle Brother for 35 years. He has been engaged in teaching ministry in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

NZCBC President, Bishop Patrick Dunn, said that "Br Mark brings to this position his extensive international experience as an educator and formator, together with a great humility and dedication to the wellbeing of others.

"We are delighted he is available to take up this important formation ministry."

Br Mark's time in the Middle East included taking on the responsibility for training the Bethlehem University student ambassadors, responsibility for engaging in dialogue with the many pilgrim groups that come to the University, and for teacher formation in the De La Salle schools in Jaffa, Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Amman.

The rector of Holy Cross Seminary, Father Brendan Ward, added, "with his experience in human resources and relations management, Br Mark brings a depth of knowledge and skill to the role that will greatly benefit the seminarians and staff formation team."

In his new full-time role from January 2018, Br Mark will oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of practical pastoral experience while students are in the seminary and out on pastoral placement during their formation for priesthood.

On his appointment, Br Mark said, "I want to thank the New Zealand Bishops for their support and affirmation as I take on this important role. I'm looking forward to this opportunity at Holy Cross, working with the students and the impact they will have on the landscape of ministry in New Zealand."

Holy Cross Seminary (HCS) is the national seminary for the education and formation of diocesan priests for the Catholic Church in New Zealand

The De La Salle congregation was founded 330 years ago. There are now over 4,000 De La Salle brothers worldwide working alongside 70,000 other Lasallian educators in 80 countries.

Their work is centred on meeting the educational and welfare needs of young people, especially the poor.

Source

• Supplied; Amanda Gregan New Zealand Catholic Bishop's Conference
• Image: fdmcfoundation.com

All three were ordained as diocesan priests for the Christchurch diocese, where they have been working as deacons.

Supporters witnessing their priestly promises of obedience and service of the church and its evangelising work included family from New Zealand and overseas, fellow students - among whom about six are from Vietnam - and many seminary staff.

The ordination represents the international flavour of the Church, says Fr Paul Shanahan.

Huynh (called Anthony) is from Vietnam, Graeme's family is from New Zealand and although Alister is also a New Zealander, his parents are from the Philippines.

Shanahan says he, along with 40 to 50 priests concelebrated the ordination. They included Merv Duffy, who is the acting principal of Good Shepherd College and Brendan Ward, who is the rector of Holy Cross Seminary.

The emeritus bishop of Christchurch, Basil Meeking, was the ordaining prelate and Anthony's uncle, who is a Bishop in Vietnam, presided in attendance as a concelebrant.

The MC for the ordination, Fr Chris Friel, arranged the celebration with "a beautifully done liturgy," Shanahan says.

This acknowledged the new priests' diversity. There were two choirs - one of which was Vietnamese - and the second reading was read in Vietnamese. Translations were included in the service sheet.

"There was a wonderful spirit of faith and support at the ordination," Shanahan says.

"It brought back memories of my own ordination day in Christchurch's basilica (now earthquake damaged). There were eight of us ordained that day.

"It was a very uplifting occasion and many of the [now elderly] clergy were encouraged to see 'reinforcements coming'," he added.

The ordinations were streamed live on YouTube.

Source

• Juliet Palmer
• Image: Peter Flemming

The pilgrimage will begin at Cape Reinga, which is the northern most point on the mainland of New Zealand.

It will take about 33 days, including some rest days.

Each night the pilgrims will stay in presbyteries and parishioners' homes.

They will be accompanied by a van that will carry their food, clothing, spares and safety equipment.

The van may also be used to transport any rider who is overcome with fatigue.

The seminarians will be speaking about vocations in each of the dioceses as they pass through.

They are planning their journey so that they arrive in Christchurch on 4 December in time to attend the ordination of three Christchurch deacons who are students at Holy Cross.

While they will be providing their own bikes, the seminary students are appealing for help to meet other costs such as the flights home, Ferry tickets to cross Cook Strait - they apparently lack sufficient faith to walk on water.

"We are asking for your prayers and support that this experience may be fruitful in the lives of young people today, encouraging them to 'cast out into the deep' by following Jesus in today's world.

Their blog will be updated regularly, including while they are actually on the journey.

Source

• Supplied
• Inage: Facebook

He was farewelled at the seminary this week.

"I'm sad to be leaving at this stage in the year but owing to health reasons I feel that it's best for the Seminary and for me that I return to Australia for medical treatment. I would liked to have completed my term which was due to finish at the end of the year," says Monsignor Jeffrey.

"We are grateful to Monsignor Jeffrey for his work at the Seminary over the last three years," says Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

"He came to us from the Diocese of Sandhurst, Australia, at a time when he was due to retire."

"Instead he responded willingly to our request to come to New Zealand as Rector of Holy Cross Seminary."

"During his time here, he has embraced the culture and the Church here and has contributed greatly to the Seminary."

"Monsignor Jeffrey's experience and passion for priesthood has contributed greatly to his work at the Seminary," said Dew.

"He brought his many years of experience as both a staff member and rector of two seminaries, and his involvement in Catholic education."

"He also has great enthusiasm for the new evangelisation, and having worked in a number of parishes. He has a proven knowledge of pastoral ministry."

"While we're sad to see him leave early before the anticipated end of his term later this year, we understand that the need to prioritise his health and well-being."

Reflecting on his time here Jeffrey says he has enjoyed New Zealand "I'd like to thank all of the staff at the Seminary for their work and support of me and my role."

"I'd also like to thank all of the Seminarians who have passed through the Seminary during this time. I wish them all the very best in their discernment and development of their vocation. They will remain in my prayers as I return to Australia," he says.

Monsignor Jeffrey was ordained at Sacred Heart Cathedral in his home town of Bendigo in 1963 and worked as Assistant Priest at parishes in Beechworth, Cohuna, Heathcote and Shepparton.

He then spent twelve years at Corpus Christi Provincial Seminary in Australia as a member of staff (1972 - 1977) and Rector (1978 - 1984). In 1985 he was appointed a staff member of the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji and became Rector in 1989, a position he held until 1993.

In 1994 Jeffrey became Parish Priest at St John's Catholic Parish in Euroa before joining St Brendan's in 1995.

In addition to seminary and parish-based roles, Monsignor Jeffrey has been Chairman of the Sandhurst School Education Board since its inception 15 years ago; Director of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria for 12 years, and Chairman of a Diocesan Ecumenical Commission for 14 years.

He was named Prelate of Honour by Pope John Paul in January 2000.

Source

• catholic.org.nz
• Image: Supplied NZCBC

Fr Brendan Ward is a priest of the Dunedin Diocese and has been ministering in parishes since his ordination in 1995.

"Parish ministry, along with his work in the forestry industry prior to entering the seminary, and his study, including a Masters in the Psychology of Religion, will greatly assist him in this next role," says Archbishop Dew President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Fr Ward comes from a large Invercargill family.

After leaving school he went to Canterbury University where he completed a Bachelor of Forestry and then worked for some years in the forestry industry in Rotorua and later in Bougainville.

From 1986 to 1988 Fr Ward played cricket as a semi professional.

He studied for the priesthood at the seminary in Mosgiel and was ordained by Bishop Leonard Boyle at St Mary's Basilica in Invercargill at the end of 1995.

In addition to parish ministry, Fr Ward, more recently studied for a Masters at Heythrop College (the Jesuit College) in London.

He is currently parish priest of Queenstown.

Fr Ward will take over from Monsignor Peter Jeffrey whose term ends at the conclusion of this year.

Archbishop Dew says this year will give Fr Ward the time to prepare, and "I along with my brother bishops offer our ongoing support."

"I'm pleased to be taking on this new role next year and I will be spending this time researching and preparing to begin. I can see that under the leadership of Monsignor Peter Jeffery and the staff that the Seminary is in good heart" said Fr Ward.

"I'm grateful to all those who have formed, supported and encouraged me in my own priestly vocation and I hope that I too can make a valuable contribution to the vocation of many others in this role." he said.

Source

• Supplied NZCBC
• Image: Supplied NZCBC

His appointment takes effect this time next year. The lead in time will allow him to prepare and visit other seminaries to observe formation processes.

Source

Archbishop John Dew's Newsletter 20/02/14

The Auckland Catholic Newspaper, The New Zealand Catholic, reports that although indications for student numbers for 2012 are very good, some prospective seminarians are still working through the admissions process.

Final numbers will be known only when seminarians actually arrive next year.

The Seminary has accommodation for 27 -30 in 10 units each capable of housing three students. One unit is presently being used as guest quarters.

The nearby Ponsonby presbytery, which can house three students or more, is also an option for student accommodation should it be needed.

The Holy Cross Seminary website presently lists 20 seminarians (and a cat).

Source

• New Zealand Catholic
• Image Holy Cross Seminary