Catholic Voice

College puts trio on steps to priesthood

Archbishop Mark Coleridge gives copies of the Bible to new seminarians (from left): Trenton van Reesch, George Nulley-Valdes and Duc Mac before they left for the start of term in Sydney.

Three young men, all old boys of the same Canberra college, have taken their first formal steps towards priesthood.

All former Marist College students, Duc Mac, Trenton van Reesch and George Nulley-Valdes last month began studies at Good Shepherd Seminary in Sydney. They join another three archdiocesan seminarians there, Bernie Drum, Luke Verrell and Paul Nulley who is George’s cousin.

Born in the then Saigon, Duc, 20, was brought with his mother to Australia from Vietnam in 1993 by his father who was a boat refugee.

Members of Duc’s family in Vietnam had become priests and nuns, and he, too, began to realize a fascination with priesthood in year 11. “Two priests in particular inspired me, one of them Fr Emil helped me and made real sacrifices for me,” he said. After two years of studying psychology and law at the University of Canberra he is entering the seminary, a decision that has shocked some of his friends. “They think I am a bit of a larrikin, that I joke around, so I’m not the stereotype of a priest.”

For Trenton, 18, the “mystery of the priesthood” captivates him. “It’s a somewhat strange question when someone asks why I choose to enter the seminary. All my life, especially in the last four to five years, not a day would pass without me reflecting on it. I have come to feel that it’s a blueprint that I desire to fulfill.

“As strange as it may sound, I have fallen in love with the thought of a priestly life and a life lived for Christ. The passionate support of my mum and sister Brigitta is one that I cherish the most.”

He said his best friends “saw it coming” while others “throw questions at you”.

George, 18, who has the same group of friends as Trenton, unexpectedly was asked by a friend in Year 10 if he was thinking of joining the brothers. “I said, ‘maybe’. Then last year I went to see my cousin Paul be installed as a lector and I decided that I’d give it a go and see if the priesthood was for me. I believe this is what God is calling me to do.”

Duc, who retains a connection with Marist College including spending time as a soccer referee, believes the foundation the young men received at the college, especially in religious education, contributed to their choice to become priests.