FR. DAVID DOWLING
(Rector)  
I am a priest of the Archdiocese of Wellington and a proud supporter of the Hurricanes rugby team. I have been in parish ministry since my ordination in 2007. Before entering Holy Cross Seminary in 2001 I was a customs officer in Wellington for 18 years. It is a wonderful privilege to lead the Seminary and contribute to the formation of the seminarians. I enjoy walking and cycling in the parks and tracks around Auckland.

LOUISA RANI
(Pastoral Formator)
Kia orana! I do pastoral ministry work at both the Holy Cross seminary and the Catholic Diocesan Centre. It is a great gift of the mahi given to me. Learning is my thing, I enjoy reading, and catching up with the family over good food.

FR. MICHAEL SMITH, SJ
(Spiritual Formator)
Tena koutou katoa. My name is Fr. Michael Smith SJ. I am a Jesuit priest, born and raised in Eltham, Taranaki. I have been a priest for 40 years and for most of that time I have been involved in the Ignatian spirituality apostolate — both giving the Spiritual Exercises and forming others to be spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition. I worked for three years as the International Education Officer for Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome. I am currently the Ignatian Coordinator at St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College in Drury, South Auckland where I am engaged in staff and parent formation. I am also the spiritual director at Holy Cross Seminary two days a week. It is my privilege to encourage and support the seminarians as they deepen their intimacy with Christ.

FR THANH TRAN                                      (Human Formator)                            Tēnā koutou katoa. My name is Father Thanh Tran. I was born and raised in a Catholic village located in the central part of Vietnam. After completing high school, I moved to Saigon for university and later came to New Zealand to pursue the Priesthood. Upon my arrival in this beautiful country, I spent nearly one and a half years learning English and familiarising myself with the culture in Christchurch before relocating to Auckland to study Philosophy and Theology at Holy Cross Seminary and Good Shepherd College. Following my Ordination, I returned to my incardinated Diocese of Christchurch to serve as a Priest. In 2024, I returned to Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland to serve as a Human Formator. This opportunity has been one of the many wonderful surprises the Lord has bestowed upon me. I feel privileged and deeply blessed to be here. Please keep the Seminary staff and Seminarians in your prayers. Please also pray for more vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life, especially here in New Zealand. Thank you very much, and may God bless you all.

FR RONALD BENNETT                        (Senior Priest in Residence)                  Tena Koutou Katoa. I have been a priest for 52 years, working in the Wellington and Palmerston Dioceses and have enjoyed every moment of that time.  I have always worked in parish ministry, but alongside that I have been involved in hospital, prison, and military chaplaincy, as well as on the North Taranaki Māori apostolate. I hope to share the blessings I have received with these future priests.   

BR. PETER RYAN, FSC                   (Dean of Studies)                               My name is Brother Peter, FSC and I am a De La Salle Brother, born and raised in Australia. I have been a Brother for 40 years and for most of that time I have been involved in Catholic education and formation in New Zealand, Australia and overseas. As well as being a lecturer in theology and spirituality at Te Kupenga-Catholic Theological College, I am this year the Dean of Studies at Holy Cross Seminary. It is my privilege to walk beside, encourage and support the seminarians in their academic journey.

ROCHELLE PINTO
(Office Manager)
I joined Holy Cross Seminary in 2022. My background is in Business and Event Management. And, having experience volunteering with Youth Ministry and Parish Ministry in the past, I am thankful for the opportunity to now serve the church in my role as Office Manager at the seminary.

ANNA DEMEER (Chef) Originally from the Philippines, for the last 27 years Anna has lived happily in New Zealand. Her passions are all about food and cooking and she always puts 100% into everything she does. We are blessed to have Anna with us at Holy Cross Seminary.

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.

2024 - Matthew was ordained a deacon on Sunday 12 November 2023 and is preparing for priestly ordination in the Archdiocese of Wellington.

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.

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 training for the Diocese of Christchurch. Please remember me in your prayers. Thank you. 

EMILIO CAPIN
Kia Ora! Hi, my name is Emilio Capin Jr., born and raised in the north part in Mindanao Philippines. I am a 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.

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.

GERSON BADAYOS
Mabuhay! I am Gerson Badayos. I entered Holy Cross Seminary in 2021, as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Wellington. I am originally from Davao, Philippines. I am a Registered Guidance Counselor, Psychometrician, and a Licensed Teacher in my home country.  Please include us all in your prayers.

TUNG TRAN
Hello everyone, I am Tung (or Ignatius). I come from Vietnam and I am now a seminarian for the Diocese of Christchurch. I love art, music and history. Additionally, I am a big fan of Theology. Welcome to Holy Cross Seminary and please pray for our Staff and Seminarians.

VAKA FATONGIATAU
My name is Vaka Fatongiatau born and raised in the Kingdom of Tonga. In 2014, I immigrated to New Zealand. I started my discernment for priesthood in 2019. My first year as a seminarian for the Diocese of Auckland was 2022. I am happy to join the Holy Cross Seminary for my priesthood formation. Please remember us seminarians in your prayers thanks.

MINEVA BOB FE’AO
Kia Ora, My name is Mineva Bob Fe'ao. I am a Kiwi and I was born and raised in Mangere East, Auckland. My family are originally from Tonga. I’ve worked in manufacturing, hospitality, and youth ministry. I enjoy going out for walks and spending time with family and friends. Please remember us in your prayers.

TANG JOSEPH PHAN
Hi everyone! My name is Tang Joseph. I come from Vietnam. There are 7 of us in my family. They are my parents, 2 older brothers and 2 sisters. I am here for Dunedin Diocese. I am a second-year student at the seminary. Please pray for me as I undertake this journey and walk with Jesus. God bless you.

DUNG MANH PHAN
Kia Ora! I am Dung Phan from Vietnam originally. I am a seminarian for the Diocese of Palmerston North and studying at the Catholic Theological College in Auckland. 
I am happy to join Holy Cross Seminary for priestly formation and training.  I like to socialize with new people.  Thank you for your prayerful support.  God bless you.

PETER JANG                                         Hi my name is Peter, a South Korean by ethnicity but a Kiwi at heart. I came to NZ in 2001 and have lived here ever since. It's been a real pleasure these past years (praise God!) and I am delighted to have been called to discern this special vocation. I have moments when I can be a little shy, so please come and say hello and I will be very thankful. My hobbies at the moment are playing table tennis and reading books (favorite novel is the LOTR series). I'm looking forward to this year and the many years to come. And I hope to see you as well. God bless

JOSHUA BRODIE                                  Hi Everyone, my name is Joshua Brodie from the Auckland Diocese. I was born and raised in Henderson, West Auckland. I am blessed by Jesus and Mary to be here and I am excited to pray, study and work towards what they have planned for me. Please keep us in your prayers!

NHAT CAO                                           My name is Nhat and I’m originally from Vietnam. I belong to Hamilton Diocese which is not far away from Auckland city. It is so lovely to be a part of Holy Cross Seminary, that I have longed for, for a long time. Thank you and please continue to pray for all of the Seminarians on our journey ahead. May God bless you.

MATTHEW CLARK                                Kia Ora, my name is Matthew and I am seminarian for the Diocese of Christchurch. I have spent the last few years working as a teacher. I’m a big sports fan! Please pray for all the seminarians, staff, and I as we continue on this journey together.

MAX COPLEY                                      Kia Ora, I am currently representing the Wellington Archdiocese at Holy Cross Seminary for 2024. As Catholics we are reminded that Jesus calls men in every age to be ‘brothers-in-arms’ with him as priests. I’m happy to be at Holy Cross Seminary this year. Please keep all of us here at the seminary in your prayers. Ma te Atua e manaaki. Ngā mihi nui!

TUONG DUONG                                  Kia Ora. My name is Tuong, originally from Vietnam. I am a seminarian for the Diocese of Christchurch. It is wonderful to be a part of the Holy Cross Seminary. Pray for me. May God bless you all.

ZECHARIA MATHEW                         Pax et Bonum! Growing up in Liston College, I had a strong affiliation with brotherhood. After high-school, in 2018, I journeyed with the Religious Order of the Capuchins for 5 years. However, being overseas for formation, I realised that New Zealand is my true home and this is the people I want to serve. In 2023 I discerned to continue this vocation and join Holy Cross Seminary for the Diocese of Auckland. Our vocation is your vocation; so please keep all of us in your prayers. God Bless, Mary Keep and Papa Joseph Protect! See you all in the Eucharist!