Alumni Day 2025
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” These enduring words from St. Paul echoed once again through the chapel at St. Augustine’s Seminary on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, as the community gathered for the 50th Alumni Day. What began with an executive committee meeting and the annual general assembly of alumni quickly blossomed into a renewed commitment to grow the event even further in the years ahead. St. Augustine’s Seminary expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Alumni Association’s unwavering support, which continues to strengthen the bonds between past and present.
The celebration reached its spiritual summit with Holy Mass, presided over by the Most Reverend Colli, whose homily recalled his early days of formation. He spoke with warmth and humility of the Seminary’s profound influence in shaping the priest he has become, offering his gratitude for the graces received along the way. Concelebrating with him were alumni, faculty, staff, priests, and seminarians—a living testament to the Seminary’s enduring mission of forming shepherds after the Heart of Christ.
Joy and fellowship carried into the evening’s social and dinner, where stories flowed as freely as laughter. Mementos were presented to this year’s jubilarians by Fr. Scott, with special recognition given to Bishop Colli on his 50th anniversary of priesthood. The community also honoured Rev. Joseph Tap Van Tran (confirm with Tatiana), among others whose lives of service continue to inspire.
Amid the celebration, seminarians witnessed once again that perseverance in priestly ministry brings a deep and lasting peace—a peace born only from closeness to the Lord. As Fr. Boniface Perri often reminds the alumni, it is not merely the words a priest speaks that inspire, but the nearness of his heart to Jesus. That nearness was unmistakably present throughout this year’s milestone gathering, marking the 2025 Jubilarians with a legacy of fidelity, gratitude, and joy.
2025 Priesthood Jubilarians
70th Anniversary (Ordained in 1955)
Rev. Ronald J. Cote
Rev. Gerald T. Mulhall
60th Anniversary (Ordained in 1965)
Rev. Msgr. Douglas N. Bridge
Rev. William T. Burns
Rev. Aelred Joseph Daley
Rev. Msgr. Joseph D. Shiels, C.H.H.
50th Anniversary (Ordained in 1975)
Rev. John Carten, s.f.m.
Most Rev. Frederick Joseph Colli, D.D.
Rev. Edward Joseph Smith
40th Anniversary (Ordained in 1985)
Rev. William M. Brennan
Rev. Brian G. Colbert
Rev. Thomas O. Fowler
Rev. Michael Mahoney
Rev. Francis G. Roche
25th Anniversary (Ordained in 2000)
Rev. Joao (John) Manuel Bertao
Rev. Chinedu Christopher Chukwu
Rev. Joseph Devereaux
Rev. Paul James Dobson
Rev. Shawn Hughes
Rev. Paul A. Morris, JCL
Rev. Edward Lawrence Murphy
Rev. Stephen Murrin
Rev. Mark Ernest Robson
Rev. Jessimar Cavan-Tapia
Rev. Joseph Tap Van Tran