The collaboration between the Holy Spirit Sisters and the Divine Word Missionaries is mirrored in the spirit of the Founding Generation. It started in the early days when both mission congregations were founded, writes Sr Sesilia Dominika Ria SSpS, in this SVD 150th Jubilee Year reflection.

The Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) and the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (SSpS) in Australia collaborate in bonding the dream of being missionaries in a way St Arnold Janssen had envisaged it. From the early days up to this present moment their joint collaboration has flourished through decades of mutual support, intercultural ministries with indigenous people and people on the margins of society – our shared vision in the mission of this Southern Land of the Holy Spirit.

A good master teaches his apprentice how a work is done so that if ever the master goes, he knows that at any time the apprentice could take over and continue the work.

The Society of the Divine Word, popularly known as the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD), is celebrating 150 years of service in the Lord’s Vineyard with the theme ‘Witnessing to the Light: From Everywhere for Everyone’. It has grown from a humble foundation on September 8, 1875 in Steyl, the Netherlands to an international religious order of 6,000 priests, brothers serving in 79 countries.

In this context I thought of sharing some of my personal experience of being part of the SVD mission in New Zealand, with the SVD confreres with whom I worked and some of the insights I gained along the way, writes Fr Sunil Nagothu SVD.

The Australia Province’s coordinators of the SVD’s Four Characteristic Dimensions met recently in the Thailand-Myanmar District, sharing with the missionaries there an insight into the priorities and activities of each area – Mission, Bible Apostolate, Communications, and Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.

The Thailand District Leader Br Ron Fratzke SVD said it was a happy coincidence that the District was having its retreat at the time, and the confreres were able to enjoy hearing more about the Characteristic Dimensions and sharing their own mission experience.

The Feast of Pentecost was a Spirit-filled celebration across the SVD Australia Province, with some parishes celebrating Confirmations and a number of communities gathering with the Holy Spirit Sisters to mark the feast day.

St Arnold Janssen who founded the Divine Word Missionaries, the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, had a special devotion to the Holy Trinity and his spirituality was deeply rooted in his devotion to the Holy Spirit, who he saw as being essential for the Church's mission and the transformation of hearts.

The Divine Word Missionaries have taken up pastoral responsibility for the parishes of Murgon and Gayndah in Queensland’s South Burnett region.

Fr Mikhael Loke SVD was installed as parish priest on June 1, and says he is looking forward to getting to know the people and the local area, which is spread across hundreds of kilometres within the Archdiocese of Brisbane.

The SVD mission in the predominantly Indigenous, remote parish of Balgo-Kutjungka in the Diocese of Broome, Western Australia, is widespread, taking in the main parish church and six outstations, with the furthest one being 10 hours drive away.

But despite the big distances involved, Parish Priest, Fr Paulo Vanuitu SVD, says the mission is clear – to accompany the people in the daily challenges and joys of their lives and to share in their rich cultural and faith life.

As you receive this edition of In the News we are preparing soon to celebrate NATSICC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday under the theme “Sent Forth in Strength and Hope’.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope it is wonderful to reflect on this theme, realising that it invites us to action in walking together with our Indigenous brothers and sisters anchored in the strength and the hope of Jesus Christ.

Happy Feast Day, everyone again—especially to those named Peter and Paul! We all carry certain identities. I am Peter. You may be Paul. He is Fr. Brian. But most of these names—we didn’t choose for ourselves. They were given to us. So how do we truly identify ourselves?

In almost all cultures, we show our hospitality by offering people food. For many of us, we see food as a way to connect, we see food as a way forge relationships.