Sacred Heart Minor Seminary in Alikadam Upazila under Bandarban district organized a “Come and See” program on December 1–2, 2023. 25 young boys from Bolipara, Thanchi, Lama and Alikadam Parishes who have a desire to be diocesan priests attended the program. The Vicar General of Chattogram Archdiocese, Rev. Father Terence Rodrigues, a member of the Diocesan Seminary Commission, Fr. Michael Roy, and Seminarian Martin Tripura were present to facilitate the come-and-see program.
The 10th grade seminarians of the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary led a prayer service to kick off the program. They then extended a warm welcome to all of the participants and facilitators. Vicar General Father Rodrigues shared the significance of the come-and-see program and priestly vocation while addressing the participants. Father Roy shared the life and spirituality of the diocesan priests. After these sessions, all the participants had personal encounters with the facilitator priests. Brother Soroj Costa, CSC, the headmaster of St. Mary’s School Alikadam inspired the participants in the priestly vocation and instructed on admission procedures in his school. The day’s activities ended with a cultural program attended by the seminarians and participants in the program.
Father Roy consecrated an Eucharistic celebration to start the second day’s activities. Thereafter, the parish priest of Alikadam Parish, Rev. Father Bejoy Gabriel Rebeiro, OMI shared joy in priestly life. A fellowship football match took place between the teams of Sacred Heart Minor Seminary and the Come and See program’s participants. Thus ended the come-and-see program in Alikadam.