On August 4, 1987, the Maroochy Shire Council approved the establishment of the Holy Cross Seminary. This seminary became the sixth seminary of the Society worldwide. However, as Father Esposito explained, it was the only one to encounter objections from the local community. Father Esposito clarified that a seminary is fundamentally a place of intensive study, prayer, and reflection, a sacred space designed to foster closeness to God. Unlike other educational institutions, the purpose of a seminary is spiritual, not merely academic.
Addressing specific concerns about noise, Father Esposito emphasized that a seminary, as a house of prayer and study, maintains a very quiet environment. This is in stark contrast to the site's current approved use as a school, where the activities naturally generate more noise and commotion. The seminary’s purpose, by its very nature, ensures a serene and peaceful atmosphere suitable for spiritual reflection and growth.
The new seminary site is situated on forty acres of land "outback in the bush," a vast and picturesque property sixty miles northeast of Canberra. Formerly known as St. Michael's Agricultural College, the site is located in a locality called Inveralochy. The property was owned by the Diocese of Canberra-Goulburn and operated by the Christian Brothers before it was sold to a drug rehabilitation group. However, the Society was fortunate to have their offer of $370,000 (USD 300,000) accepted, allowing them to acquire the site for the seminary.
The property itself is ideal for a seminary, boasting a large building complex designed to accommodate seventy-five to one hundred seminarians, brothers, and priests. It includes workshops, farm buildings, and recreational facilities such as basketball and tennis courts, making it well-suited for a community focused on both spiritual and physical development. The setting is idyllic, with expansive grounds that provide both seclusion and a natural environment conducive to prayer and reflection.
The main building on the property is a historic three-story Victorian-style mansion, which forms the central part of the complex. Originally constructed by the Christian Brothers, the mansion later underwent expansions, with additional wings added to transform it into a fully functional college. After World War II, a chapel was built to accommodate 200 people, further enhancing the site's suitability as a seminary.
In late November, the Society completed a long, one-thousand-mile journey from Queensland to Inveralochy to take possession of the new property. On December 8, 1988, Bishop Williamson conducted the tonsure ceremony for the seminarians in the newly acquired chapel, formally dedicating the site to its new purpose as a seminary. This ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Holy Cross Seminary, affirming its mission as a place of prayer, study, and spiritual growth.
Father Esposito's remarks highlighted both the unique objections faced by the seminary and its distinct purpose. Unlike a typical school, the seminary's role is to provide a quiet, reflective environment where seminarians, brothers, and priests can deepen their spiritual lives. The picturesque setting and the carefully planned facilities at Inveralochy make it a perfect location for such a purpose, ensuring that the seminary can fulfill its mission of fostering spiritual formation and closeness to God.