The SVD’s formation house, Dorish Maru College, in Melbourne invited a large group of friends and supporters to its annual ‘Thanksgiving’ celebration to express the gratitude of students and staff for all those who’ve given assistance to the students in their formation this year.
Dorish Maru Rector, Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD said the guest list for the event held on November 29 ranged from the staff of the college to those who tutored the students in English, those who helped them gain their driver’s licence or hosted them in their families or on their farms during their summer break and many more.
“As SVDs we are committed to providing a rounded formation for our students,” Fr Elmer said.
“The seminarians are not just here to study and learn English, but also to gain basic skills in life, like driving, gaining work experience, and getting to know the people they encounter in the parishes.
“It is a holistic kind of formation. So, study and prayer life and spiritual life are all very important, but we are trying to build people who can be well-rounded priests and missionaries in the future, and we get a lot of wonderful help from people in the community with that.”
Among those being thanked at the end-of-year function were members of the Dorish Maru College Formation Board, which is made up of religious and lay people.
A member of the Formation Board, Sr Rosie Joyce CSB, said she and others involved with formation of students at Dorish Maru appreciate the gratitude expressed by the SVD, and are very pleased to be a part of the life of the College.
“It is a lovely gesture, to thank people in this way,” Sr Rosie said. “But personally, I’ve found it a real privilege to be a part of the students’ lives.
“I’m fortunate in that because I lecture at YTU (Yarra Theological College), I get to know the students and that does help me as a member of the Formation Board, because I can then make suggestions or observation from that perspective.
“I do feel that the SVD formation is very inclusive. As a woman religious, I can see that they are genuinely very keen to have women on the board, which is a real positive.
“And I find the SVDs are quite non-clerical, but really embrace lay people and other religious. They are one with us and we are one with them.”
Student Gusty Siga, who MC’d the event, told those gathered that the students and faculty of Dorish Maru College were filled with gratitude for their generosity.
“Among the many blessings in our lives, I wish to dedicate this moment to recognise a group of individuals who possess a quite, yet profound influence on our lives and the lives of our community: our staff, cook, mentors, tutors, spiritual directors, community leaders, supervisors and our friends, benefactors – those who have been really kind to us and contribute to our formation house, our well-being and our growth in Dorish Maru College,” he said.
“In this moment of gratitude, let us raise our glasses to all of you. For your unending passion, your tireless efforts, and your unwavering belief in the potential of every student, we say: Thank you.
“In this season of gratitude, I am thankful for this incredible community and the relationships we have. I’m thankful for the culture we’ve built, the friendships we’ve formed, and the growth we’ve experienced together.
“May your life be filled with the love, joy and respect you so richly deserve, and may we continue to support and appreciate you, not just on this special day, but throughout the year.”
PHOTOS
TOP RIGHT: Fr Linh Nguyen SVD and Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD give thanks to some of the friends of Dorish Maru College during the Thanksgiving celebration.
MIDDLE LEFT: Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD speaking during the Thanksgiving Eucharist.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Thanksgiving Dinner at Dorish Maru College.