The SVD Mission Day hosted by Dorish Maru College in collaboration with Yarra Theological Union at Box Hill in Melbourne brought together people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds for shared reflection, prayer and friendship.

The annual celebration featured guest speakers Fr Chris Monahan CP and Fr Luke Bulley CP, speaking on the theme, ‘What does the New Testament say about Lay Ministry?’.

The program got underway with Fr Chris and Fr Luke delivering their presentations at the YTU Study Centre, followed by the celebration of the Eucharist at St Paschal’s Chapel, and then a multicultural shared dinner and social event at Dorish Maru College, which is the formation house of the SVD AUS Province.

Rector of Dorish Maru College, Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD, said the Mission Day attracted a good crowd and shone a fresh light on the importance of lay ministry in the Church.

“Fr Chris spoke to us about how lay ministries were already a feature of the early Church, as demonstrated in the New Testament of the Bible,” Fr Elmer said.

“He gave us Biblical examples of lay people, followers of Jesus, engaged in ministry with the Apostles, showing us that lay ministry is not something new or radical, but part of our story from the very beginning.

“And Fr Luke complemented that by providing examples of the practical application of lay ministry, based on his experience as a Passionist priest in working with young people, which was also very inspiring.”

The Provincial of the SVD AUS Province, Fr Boni Buahendri SVD, who attended the day and was main celebrant at the Mass, said the theme chosen for the Mission Day reflected a wish to highlight and affirm the role of lay collaborators in ministry.

“We wanted to show that we appreciate the support of lay people in our ministry as SVDs, especially in our formation house in Box Hill,” he said.

“We have so many good lay people helping in the formation of our seminarians in a wide variety of different ways and so we want to say thank you to them and also to provide some excellent input from our speakers about the importance of lay ministry in the Church, right back to the earliest times.”

Fr Elmer said that following Mass, everyone was invited back to Dorish Maru College to enjoy the multicultural meal which was prepared by people from many different cultural communities.

“It was a really great evening,” he said. “It was a vibrant gathering and a true reflection of the SVD commitment to interculturality.

“It was also a way to thank the members of the community who are so supportive of the Divine Word Missionaries, and especially the many lay people who support us in the formation of young missionaries here at Dorish Maru College.”

Fr Yon Wiryono SVD, who participated in the Mission Day activities, said one of the highlights for him was the talk on the importance of Lay Participation in the Mission of the Church.

“The talk was very inspiring. My take-away from the talk was simply, that when talking about Lay participation in the Mission, it is a great reminder once again to go back to the beginning of the Church. Jesus was a lay man, never ordained. His disciples were lay men. This for me has a big implication for the Church at this point and time. So, to move forward, we need to go back to the beginning, to the roots of the Church, to Jesus.”

Fr Yon said he also enjoyed the Multicultural Mass and shared meal, along with renewing old friendships.

“Of course, as is traditional for our SVD Mission Day, the Multicultural Mass and food are our trademark. People often remember Mission Day from the experience of the Mass and sharing food afterwards,” he said.

“I am always touched by the participation of our SVD families and friends, who always support with their presence and with the food they bring to share on the day. The connection is amazing.

“The friendships that we’ve nurtured throughout the years are strong, even when we meet them maybe only once or twice a year at Mission Day or at ordinations.

“I really appreciate the sense of SVD family, where everyone feels they are part of one family. Mission Day always brings people together, those who are journey with us and support us. That’s the grace.” 

PHOTOS:

TOP RIGHT: Symbols of multiculturalism, including a globe, are processed in for the Multicultural Mass during SVD Mission Day at Box Hill.

MIDDLE LEFT: Fr Yon Wiryono SVD (left), Provincial, Fr Boni Buahendri SVD (centre), and Dorish Maru College Rector Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD at the Mission Day meal and social gathering.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Many SVD friends and supporters enjoyed the shared multicultural meal at Dorish Maru College.