HOLY CROSS SEMINARY 2019
At the commencement of the 2019 seminary year there were 16 students in residence at the seminary and 2 students on pastoral placement in parishes in their home dioceses. The student body comprised men from eight different nations, including Vietnam, Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia, Tonga, Fiji, and New Zealand, from a variety of family, societal, and educational backgrounds, including agricultural contractors and farm workers, teachers, an information technology specialist, a pilot, a farming consultant, an accountant, a lawyer, a pharmacologist, and students with qualifications in a wide range of disciplines including engineering, music and psychology.
They ranged in age from 23 to 45 years, and included three recently ordained deacons completing their studies.
Seminary Staff
FR. BRENDAN WARD
(Rector)
Born and raised in Invercargill, Southland. Worked in the forestry industry in NZ and Papua New Guinea 1977-1989 before entering the seminary in 1990. Ordained 1995, for the Diocese of Dunedin. Appointed rector of Holy Cross Seminary June 2014.
B.For.Sci; B.Theol; MA Psych.Rlgn.
Br. MARK McKEON
(Director of Human Formation)
I have been a De La Salle Brother for 35 years. Originally from Queensland, during my time in the Brothers I've been blessed to have had the opportunity to form relationships across the globe while engaged in educational, pastoral and formation ministry in Aotearoa, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Holy Land.
ANASTASIA BROWN
(Office Manager)
Hi, my name is Anastasia, I am married to Chris and we have three teenagers. I originally came from Hawkes Bay and grew up in the parish of St. Mary's, Taradale. My role at the Seminary is to run the office, and assist the students with all the practical day to day needs they face with being part of a community.
Seminary Students
TRUNG VAN NGUYEN
Trung was recently ordained for the Palmerston North Diocese on 06th June 2020.
My name is Trung. I am from Vietnam. I came to New Zealand in May 2012. I like to play soccer, table tennis and listening to instrumental music.
TANG PHAN
Tang was recently ordained for the Christchurch Diocese on the 10th October 2020.
Hi, my name is Tang Phan a seminarian for the Christchurch Diocese. I am from Vietnam.
DEACON THOMAS PARK
Kia Ora, Hi, my name is Thomas (Chani) Park, I came to NZ in 2003 from Seoul, Republic of Korea. I joined the seminary in 2014 for the Auckland diocese. Before entering the seminary, I completed secondary school (Rangitoto college) in 2006, studied at University of Auckland and Massey University. My work experience has been in rental property and as a ship broker.
DEACON ISAAC FRANSEN
I'm a seminarian for the Hamilton Diocese. I was born and bred on a dairy farm with six brothers. I completed BE(mech) at Waikato University before entering the seminary in 2015. God bless you, and please pray for us all here and those who are discerning.
ADAM KIRKEBY
Hello. I am Adam Kirkeby. I entered the seminary for the Hamilton Diocese in 2016, before which I worked as a primary school teacher for six years in Catholic schools in Taupo, Hamilton and Tokoroa. I am currently on my pastoral year in Fairfield, Hamilton.
ALFRED TONG
Hi! I’m Alfred, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Wellington. I started at Holy Cross Seminary in 2016. Previously I was an environmental chemist in the aquatic environment. In addition, I worked as a donor database administrator for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. I love music making and in addition to singing, I play the piano, cello and guitar. I am currently on my pastoral year in Nelson.
MONTY BAMFORD
My name is Monty Bamford, a seminarian for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. I grew up on a high country farm in Hawarden, North Canterbury. I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Lincoln University, and worked for three years as a product manager for a rural supplies company in Christchurch. I entered Holy Cross Seminary in 2016. My home parish is the Catholic Parish of the Good Shepherd, Hurunui. I am in my pastoral year.
HUONG DINH VAN
Kia Ora! I am Huong Dinh and I am currently a seminarian for the Diocese of Christchurch and Studying Bachelor Degree of Theology at Good Shepherd College.
I am keen on talking and working with a variety of people. I am also a big fan of Rugby as I love watching All Blacks play. I love football, music, and dance.
JOSEPH VAN LONG NGUYEN
My name is Joseph Nguyen, I am 28 years old. I come from one of the most beautiful countries in the world called Vietnam. I'm here for the Diocese of Dunedin.
SUU NGUYEN
Hi, I am Suu and come from Vietnam. I entered the Holy Cross Seminary in 2017 and a seminarian for Dunedin Diocese. I have a civil engineering qualification. Please pray for me.
JOSEPH PHAM
Xin chao! I am Joseph Pham, a seminarian for Auckland diocese since 2018. I come from a Catholic family in North Vietnam. Early in 2016, I graduated with a degree in Finance and Banking in Saigon, then I came to Auckland and completed my Diploma in Business. I have always been involved with Catholic student movements, and in Auckland was associated with our Youth Ministry while working in a variety of jobs. I started my journey here at Holy Cross Seminary.
KINH NGUYEN My name's Kinh and I am from Vietnam. I am studying for the Archdiocese of Wellington. I come from a big Catholic family in Vietnam.
MATTHEW WHITE Kia ora koutou. My name is Matt White.
I am a seminarian for the archdiocese of Wellington. Before I came here I was a high school teacher. I love rugby and cricket. Please keep all of us at the seminary in your prayers. Thank you.
LINH CAO
Hi everyone. My name is Linh Cao. I originally come from Vietnam and I have been living in NZ for around 2 years. I am a seminarian trained for the Diocese of Christchurch. Please remember me in your prayers. Thank you .
RYAN SY
Hi, my name is Ryan Sy, a seminarian for Auckland Diocese. I am originally from Cebu, Philippines. I completed Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Cebu Doctors' University and Master in Education at Cebu Technological University. I was a teacher before arriving in New Zealand in 2015 to study Culinary and then, worked as a Chef in Auckland before entering the seminary.
EMILIO CAPIN
Kia Ora! Hi, my name is Emilio Capin Jr., born and raised in the north part in Mindanao Philippines. I am a first-year seminarian of the Archdiocese of Wellington. I finished my bachelor degree in Nursing in 2013 and worked in a government hospital as an emergency nurse before entering the seminary. Please keep us all in your prayers.
MATTHEW GIBSON
Matt was recently ordained for Hamilton Diocese.
Hi. My name is Matthew Gibson. I started at the seminary in 2013 and hope to be a priest for the Hamilton diocese. Please pray for us and the staff entrusted with our formation.
VUI HOANG
Vui was recently ordained for the Palmerston North Diocese on 29th June 2019
Hi. I am Vui Hoang, a seminarian for the Palmerston North Diocese. From Vietnam, I entered Holy Cross Seminary in 2013.
MARTIN WU
Martin was recently ordained for the Auckland Diocese on 10th August 2019Hi. I am Martin Wu. I am a seminarian for Auckland Diocese and I entered the seminary in 2013. I have experience working with at-risk youth and youth offenders.
Please pray for me!