The halls of Dorish Maru College, the SVD’s formation house in Melbourne, are once again ringing with life following the arrival of five new missionary students – the first big intake since international borders re-opened after the pandemic.
The students are from Vietnam and China. Also arriving recently are two SVD priests, who are studying English before beginning their ministry.
Dorish Maru College Rector, Fr Michael Knight, says that all the student arrivals are also taking English classes as their first priority. The scholastics will then begin their theology studies at Yarra Theological Union, University of Divinity, while those students here as part of the Overseas Training Program (OTP) will undertake pastoral placements in various SVD ministries throughout Australia. The students will be under the care of Fr Bill Burt SVD, Acting Formator.
“It’s certainly nice to have the rooms filled up with students again, instead of the spider-webs filling them up,” Fr Mike says.
“It brings some life back to the place after the COVID period when we had no new arrivals at all.
“And it brings a new richness to our already broad international mix here at Dorish Maru.”
Anthony Nguyen Ngoc Khanh is an OTP student from Vietnam, who is in Australia to gain on-the-ground missionary experience before resuming his academic studies.
“My hope is that I may study English well, and learn about the Australian culture, so that I can be an effective missionary here in Australia,” he says.
Also here as an OTP student is Truong Van Thuc from Vietnam. Thuc says he believes the OTP program in Australia will be a good opportunity to be trained as a future missionary.
“I hope my experience in Australia will be good, and that I will get good results,” he says.
Jacob Yang from China will take up theological studies after completing his English instruction at the English Language School for Pastoral Ministry (ELSPM).
“I hope to be an excellent person and a really good missionary who speaks English well,” he says.
Duong Quock Khoa from Vietnam is looking forward to living in a new culture.
“My hope is to fulfil my mission through my activities and by adapting to a new way of life in this wonderful land,” he says.
And Tran Cong Luong from Vietnam says his hope is to become a good SVD missionary.
“I hope I can improve myself every day, and live in brotherhood with everyone in this community. Additionally I hope the people here can help me!”
Along with the students, the new arrivals include Fr Tam Trung Nguyen SVD from Vietnam who was ordained in January this year and has arrived at Dorish Maru to study English before being assigned to ministry. Fr Tam says he’s looking forward to “becoming fluent in English and learning the Australian culture”. Fr Yanuarius (Rius) Silwanus Salu SVD from Indonesia, took his final vows in July 2020 and was ordained to the priesthood in October 2020. He has been involved in parish ministry in Indonesia while waiting for his visa to come to Australia to improve his English before he begins ministry.
PHOTO: The expanding Dorish Maru College community following an intake of new students and SVD priests who are studying English. Photo taken in the dining room, during celebrations for Neftali's birthday.