St Vincent De Paul was a great saint. His words strike a cord. To make good priests - to form good priests - is a most wonderful and beautiful task.
At Good Shepherd Seminary we follow closely the teaching of the Church. For this reason the first year of the seminary formation is a spiritual year. This is a unique time for the seminarian to be with Christ in preparation for the journey ahead. He receives input from the seminary staff on the Creed, Sacraments, Moral Life and Prayer. He is encouraged to read and meditate on Christ present in these four aspects of the Catholic faith and life.
In 1992 Pope John Paul II issued the Apostolic Exhortation called, "I Will Give You Shepherds" – In Latin, Pastores Dabo Vobis. It deals with the formation of priests. Human Formation: We focus on those human virtues that are necessary for human Christian maturity. We pay particular attention to the four cardinal virtues: Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude and Justice. Because the priest is celibate, we play close attention to psychosexual development. Psychology helps, but does not replace our emphasis on "virtue based" human formation. Seminarians receive formal lectures on human virtues. They talk to an external personal advisor once a month. They receive constant feedback from the seminary formation team on their progress in human virtues. Spiritual Formation:
Mass is celebrated daily in the college chapel. The Sacrament of Penance is offered daily. There is a daily holy-hour in the college chapel. Morning, evening and night prayer is also celebrated in the chapel. The rosary is encouraged, but said privately. Spiritual reading follows the same pattern. Each year seminarians do a silent retreat for eight days. Academic Formation:
Philosophy, Biblical languages, Church History, Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology, Pastoral Studies and Mission, Spirituality, Liturgy and Canon Law. In the spiritual year, seminarians do one subject in each of the two semesters focusing on spirituality. Years two to seven focus on the subjects listed above. Pastoral Formation:
The initial years are focused on apostolic work that is part of the ordinary call to holiness, while the later years of formation focus on preparing the seminarian to enter priestly life. Year 1: Spiritual Year: Visiting various works of mercy in the Archdiocese of Sydney; cultural and spiritual outings; pilgrimages; visiting the elderly, sick and infirmed in a Group Facility. Year 2: Theory and Practise of Catechism in Catholic Schools Year 3: Theory and Practise of Catechism in State Schools Year 4: Promoting Vocations in Schools and Youth Apostolates Year 5: Pastoral Placement in a Parish; Clinical Pastoral education Year 6: Practicums: Preaching and Sacraments Year 7: Practicums: Preaching and Sacraments
SEMINARY TIMETABLE Monday – Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Thursday 3rd Sunday January February March April Mid-Year Vacation (4 weeks) Annual Mission (1 week) August September/October November November/December
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Seminary of the Good Shepherd Contact Details
Email: seminary@sgs.org.au
Phone: 02 9752 9600
50-58 Abbotsford Road,
Homebush 2140
Postal Address:
PO Box 4149,
Homebush South NSW 2140
PO Box 4149,
Homebush South NSW 2140
 WHAT'S HAPPENINGTHINKING OF PRIESTHOOD? |
The Year of the Priest Prayer AMEN
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The spiritual year begins with a three-day retreat.First years then do an eight-day retreat in the middle of the year. The year finishes with a thirty-day silent retreat according to the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius. At the end of the year staff and seminarian evaluate the progress that has been made. 
The three theological virtues - faith, hope and love – are critical to spiritual formation. We focus on them throughout the formation process at Good Shepherd Seminary. We do this through regular input from the Spiritual Director, regular twice-monthly spiritual direction, and monthly days of solitude and silence.
During the seven years of formation, pastoral and apostolic work is structured according to the obligations that flow from the call of the Sacrament of Baptism (Discipleship) and then the Sacrament of Holy Orders (Apostleship).