On Saturday 14th February a Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated to mark the beginning of the ministry of Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP as Rector of the Seminary.
Bishop Mario Grech led this Mass which was attended also by Fr Frankie Cini (Father Superior of the Missionary Society of St Paul in Malta), Fr Paul Sciberras (the Rector’s brother), the formators of the Seminary, the seminarians, the nuns and representatives of the workers and voluntary helpers of the Seminary. In the homily the Bishop spoke about the mandate that he is entrusted Fr Tony with and he showed his gratitude to the Missionary Society of St Paul and to Fr Tony’s family that made it possible for Fr Tony to accept this mission.
Bishop Grech said that the Gospel of the day (Lk 10,1-12) explains well Fr Tony’s mandate. It is Jesus who sent his disciples to spread the Good News and it is Jesus who calls and sends the priests on the same mission. The preaching of the Good News, entrusted in the hands of the priest, brings peace to the heart of man, even to the heart of contemporary man, which is so burdened. Thus, Jesus is continually inviting the chosen to renew their motivations and to give absolute priority to this mission. “The workers are a few.” Bishop Grech said that this reflects not only the quantity but also the quality of the workers.
Bishop Grech summarised in three points the mission entrusted to Fr Tony. As Rector, he must see that the seminarians spend more time in prayer, thus getting closer to God; that the seminarians take their mission in a full and responsible manner; that the seminarians embrace poverty.
Bishop Grech and the concelebrating priests invoked the Holy Spirit to inspire Fr Tony during his special mission. On his part, the Rector showed his gratitude in a short message which he delivered at the end of the Mass.
The community of the Seminary welcomes Fr Tony in his mission as Rector of the Seminary.
