On 25 May, Sandhurst Clergy and Seminarians spent their day off at a special lunch with Bishop René Ramirez RCJ at Fowles Winery in Avenel. The lunch was initiated by the College of Consultors, who wanted priests of the Diocese to have the opportunity to acquaint and re-acquaint themselves with Bishop René and ‘welcome him back’ to the Diocese before he is installed as the ninth Bishop of Sandhurst at Sacred Heart Cathedral on 30 July.
For many of the priests, the strongest message they took home with them after meeting Bishop René was that it wasn’t enough to be ‘welcoming’ and that ‘welcoming’ is an over-used word; parishes, priests and parishioners must be ‘invitational’.
“That idea of being ‘invitational’ really stuck in my head,” said Fr Novelito (Novie) Lim PP, Echuca; a sentiment that all the priests at the Western Deanery Forum on 2 June shared.
“Bishop René was well-received by his fellow clergy,” said Fr Novie.
Fr Peter Ferwerda PP, Heathcote agreed. “He is very friendly and I think he will be an approachable bishop,” he said. “He seems to be sensitive to the needs of the people and, although we didn’t really talk about anything spiritual at the lunch, I feel he will be a wonderful spiritual leader for our Diocese.”
“Culturally, I think it’s significant that he is a Filipino because he reflects the changing face of our congregations and will bring a fresh perspective to our Diocese,” Fr Caldow said.
“Being a priest from a Religious Order is a very good thing, because he will have a deep understanding of spirituality being lived out in a pastoral setting, and he will bring that Rogationist Spirituality with him.”
Fr Caldow was also moved to know that Bishop René remembers concelebrating a funeral with him many years ago. “I was so impressed to learn that he remembered such small things from the past; it showed a genuine care for people.”
Fr Stephen Bolling PP, Eaglehawk and Inglewood/Marong, feels the Diocese will become even more outreaching under Bishop René. “He talked about the Sandhurst Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals and, when speaking with us, he focused on parishes and a Church that reaches out,” he explained.
Fr Arun Korlakanti PP, Cohuna, Kerang and Pyramid Hill believes the Diocese is in for some action. “I feel like he is a visionary, and it seems he already has a plan,” Fr Arun said.
Fr Jackson Saunders, Assistant Priest Cathedral Cluster of Parishes interviews Bishop René at the luncheon.
Image above-right: (L-R) Bishop René Ramirez RCJ (second from right) with fellow Rogationists from the Shepparton Parishes; (L-R) Fr Ruel Desamparado RCJ, Fr Addin Doe RCJ and Fr Ronaldo Masilang RCJ.