The first Plenary Council Assembly was a graced experience of prayer, listening and discernment which has laid the groundwork for an action plan to carry the Church in Australia into the future, according to the SVD members who took part.

Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD, and Parish Priest of Our Lady of Sacred Heart Parish in Alice Springs, Fr Prakash Menezes SVD said the Assembly allowed all members to contribute and to feel seen and heard.

I am most thankful for the Lord’s steadfast love in my life. He has led and guided the journey of my vocation, and strengthened me to be able to walk this special path. God holds me up when I experience difficult times. I am blessed in my vocation by the joy of his great love. He has always been with me in my journey as a seminarian. This teaches me to totally surrender to God, and understand that being a religious missionary is such a huge blessing for me.