The Marist Seminary is under way, welcoming three new members to the community.
Oliver Sanderson comes from Rangiora and has a background as an army officer. Brendan Jenke is from Auckland and has an engineering background and more recently has been a student at Catholic Discipleship College and worked at the Studio of John the Baptist. Allen Smith is a Samoan New Zealander and last year was part of the Society of Mary/Challenge 2000 Gap Year Programme.
These three new men join the four other students at Marist Seminary in their studies towards priesthood.
Petero Matairatu, is from Fiji and he returns to the seminary after his year of Marist Mission Experience with Challenge 2000 in Wellington.
Phil Bennenbroek, from Auckland, completed his novitiate in March last year in the Philippines and continues his theological studies in Auckland. Over the summer he had a pastoral placement living in at the L’Arche Kapiti Community.
Adrian O’Flynn, from Auckland, came to the seminary in 2010 after working for a time as a lawyer.
Matthew Grevatt, is from the Hawkes Bay and after completing studies at St John’s College Hastings he joined the Society of Mary / Challenge2000 Gap Year Programme before beginning formation at the seminary last year.
Both Matthew and Adrian returned this year for their second year of study prior to got to the Marist Novitiate. Over the summer they each had pastoral placements that ranged from assisting at the St Vincent de Paul, to helping with young people on pilgrimage through to involvement with parish ministry in the rural areas.