Welcome from the Rector
Holy Spirit Seminary Queensland serves the five dioceses of Queensland – Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville – in preparing candidates for the Priesthood. The Seminary reflects the nature of the Catholic Church in its student cohort: smaller in numbers, older in age and multicultural in background. Together these fine men surface to test a vocation in a world counter cultural to faith and religion. A certain courage lies at the willing heart of each seminarian. The Seminary Staff appreciate the privilege of being chosen to journey with them.
Seminarians live separate but not isolated from normal society during their formation years. In recent time the beautiful image of the Church has suffered through clerical misconduct. The wound saddens young aspirants to the priesthood without diminishing hope. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus, fresh heart seeps into the disciples of every age. Enthused by the Spirit of God the seminarians face the future with humble confidence aided by proven spiritual and psychological resources.
In their common sense approach to serving the Church reclaim its vitality in mission, through ordained ministry, they welcome and rely on the prayerful support of families, friends and all who love the Church and the priesthood. Thank you for your interest in those open to discerning the mystery of Christ in their lives and in the life of the Church.
Rev Fr Neil Muir
Support the Seminary
The formation of men for the priesthood is an essential work of the Church. This formation does not occur in isolation and requires the support of the entire Church community.
There are three ways to offer support to the continuing formation of priests: Firstly and most importantly through your prayers (which are essential); secondly, by encouraging young men in your home, parish, or community to discern the call to priesthood; and finally, by your financial support – without which the Seminary would not function.
Donations can be made directly to Holy Spirit Seminary, and please consider remembering this important cause in your will.
About the Seminary
Founded in 1939, the Holy Spirit Provincial (Queensland) Seminary is located in Banyo in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. For over eighty years young men have trained at Banyo in preparation for a life of priestly ministry in the Church in Queensland, and beyond.
In 2003 the original seminary buildings opened their doors to welcome the Australian Catholic University. A new, vibrant, and innovative seminary campus was constructed in 2007 and extended in 2010.
At the heart of the new Seminary buildings is the Oratory. Each day the Seminary community gathers in the Oratory for Mass and the Divine Office. Every Thursday, staff and seminarians gather in the Oratory for a Holy Hour of Adoration. Our prayer intentions in these Holy Hours are 1) for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in Queensland and 2) for the intentions of our benefactors.
It is in the Oratory that priestly hearts are formed by the Holy Spirit.
Formation Staff
Holy Spirit Seminary maintains a Catholic program of priestly formation closely following the guidelines established by Saint John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation Pastores dabo vobis.
Rev Dr Paul Chandler O.Carm
Spiritual Director
Sr Ursula O'Rourke SGS
Liturgy Formation
Dr Sr Maeve L Heaney VDMF
DIRECTOR OF THEOLOGICAL FORMATION FOR MINISTRY
Rev Dr Anthony Mellor
Academic Dean
Mr Shayne Bennett
Director of Faith and Mission
