Message from Fr. David Rankin
My name is Fr. David Rankin, I was ordained to the priesthood at St. Ninian Cathedral, on the Feast of the Visitation, May 31, 2024. I thought about the priesthood for a long time, having been involved as an altar server and aspiring to the example and leadership of good priests. However, for a long time I went in what I thought was a different direction before I finally decided to try the seminary. I studied at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario for two years before moving to finish my formation at St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto for the remaining four years. Both places were excellent for learning and preparing for the priesthood. With the financial support of the Antigonish Diocesan Society, I was able to accomplish my Masters of Divinity and Sacred Theology Baccalaureate degrees without the financial burdens that would have prevented me from doing so.
I am truly grateful for the support of the Diocesan Society. I strongly encourage any young man in our Diocese who may be thinking of priesthood to get in touch with our Vocations Director and have a conversation. I have been very well supported and encouraged by the people of the Diocese. I just love being their priest! It may be a bit daunting, and hard to picture how things will work out but Our Lord invites us to “put out into the deep,” and to trust him. We are always free to accept that invitation, and that could mean a vocation to religious life or Priesthood, marriage and family life or holy single life. We all have a vocation, it’s important to discern what that is. Thank you to the Diocesan Society for your ongoing support of our men training for priesthood.
Photo caption: Fr. David Rankin after his first mass, St. Mary’s Church, Mabou
Message from Joe MacMaster, Seminarian
To enter seminary is to renounce much of one’s life, including a stable income. Organizations like the Diocesan Society are a great assistance during a man’s priestly formation, as they alleviate his financial burden, providing a freedom to continue in his studies. Such freedom is indispensable in answering the call to be a priest of Jesus Christ.
Photo title: Bishop Gerard Bergie of St. Catherines installs Seminarian Joseph MacMaster to the Ministry of Lector. November 26, 2025