Seminarian Profiles
Joseph Mijares
I was born in San Francisco, USA and moved to Wellington, New Zealand when I was 10 years old. I have lived and studied in Tawa throughout my academic life and then attended Victoria University of Wellington obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Science in 2017. I worked professionally as an Asbestos Surveyor/Consultant immediately after my university graduation. After a year and half of working in this company, I decided to resign mid-2019 to soul search and further discern my vocation and purpose.
My parents are both Filipino which made faith and attending mass a big part of my identity. I would describe myself as a ‘cradle catholic’ however, I only really cultivated and became active in my faith through my youth group CFC – YFC (Couples for Christ-Youth for Christ) and most recently CFC – SFC (Couples for Christ-Singles for Christ.) Over the past 8 years, this family ministry was a community that taught me so much and along the way provided me with genuine and authentic friendships. The knowledge and wisdom obtained from incredible events such as conferences, mission trips to even the simple conversations and interpersonal relationships, made me realise how my Catholic faith became a significant part of my life. I entered the seminary at the start of 2020 to discover more of myself and God’s plan for me but also provide an opportunity to share and nurture that spark of faith which became so convincing and real for me.
Hemi Ropata
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Lachie Bartlett
I am a first-year Marist Seminarian. I was born and raised in Christchurch. I am profoundly deaf (means I’m deaf as a post) and have a cochlear implant in my left ear that helps me to hear. I am incredibly blessed to have an amazing family that supported me throughout my childhood to help me see my deafness as a gift. I attended St. Bede’s College, a Marist Fathers College, from 2011-2015 and was Head Boy in 2015. From St. Bede’s, I went to the University of Canterbury to study a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). I was fortunate enough to finish my Law Degree on an Exchange with the University of Nottingham in the UK. After completing my LLB, I worked alongside Fr Mark Walls SM, Matt Newman, and Rachel Farrington for six months at the Young Marist Organisation. The work I did with the Young Marists involved working with students and staff from the nine Marist Schools. Alongside this, I worked as a Boarding Supervisor and a part-time teacher aid at St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream. And now I am at the seminary.
I am from – what I would say – is a practical Catholic family. We went to mass every second Sunday (unless the Warriors were on). Throughout my childhood, Catherine (Mum) and Donald (Dad) would invite the parish priest – Fr Simon Eccelton and later on, Fr John Adams, around for dinner. I was able to see the human side of these great men, and this got the ball rolling for me to consider the priesthood as a genuine path to consider. My time at St. Bede’s kept my faith on a “simmering heat”. The friendship that I developed with Fr Mark Walls through Marist leadership opportunities, the time I spent with his Marist community in Mount St, and the work that I did in the Marist schools, especially at Silverstream with Fr John Walls (Fr Mark’s older brother) really helped draw me to the seminary. I guess my faith could be summed up by this phrase – God speaks to us through the people and events of our lives. Oh, and also I love sport – I am a HUGE Manchester City, Crusaders, Warriors (for my sins), and Blackcaps fan (basically if it’s a sport – I’m in).
Thomas Manihera
In June 2024, I returned to Marist Seminary after a two-year break from formation. I initially joined in February 2020 and completed two years of Philosophy at the Theological College. At the end of 2021, I travelled to Italy to enter the international novitiate. Due to COVID-19 and challenges related to entering the Philippines, the novitiate was held in Tuscany. I spent eight months there, and it was a great experience. However, over time, I began to question whether God was calling me to the Marist life and the priesthood. Ultimately, at the end of August 2022, I formally left formation and returned home to Auckland.
I was born in Auckland and raised in Whangarei by my parents, alongside my younger sister and brother. I am of New Zealand, Maori (Ngai Tuhoe), and Tongan descent. Before entering seminary in 2020, I worked in various jobs, including as a cleaner, produce assistant, bakery assistant, electrical wholesaler, and ambulance officer. During my two-year break from 2022 to 2024, I worked as a funeral director. I grew up in a Marist parish and attended Pompallier Catholic College. Throughout my upbringing, I was influenced by many great Marist Fathers and Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary. Their simple way of life, combined with God’s grace, attracted me to Marist Seminary on both occasions.
Please continue to pray for my brothers and I.