Debra Vermeer
Long-serving financial advisor awarded Papal Medal to recognise contribution
A long-serving volunteer for the SVD in both the Papua New Guinea and Australia Provinces, Terry Williamson, has been awarded a Papal Medal in recognition of his outstanding Christian witness and contribution to the Society of the Divine Word.
Terry, who is a member of the SVD Australia Province Finance Committee, was awarded the Benemerenti Medal at a special ceremony and dinner at Marsfield this month in honour of his 43 years of providing pro bono financial advice to the Divine Word Missionaries.
Fr Ollie an eye-witness to history as white smoke signifies election of new pontiff
When Fr Olivier Noclam SVD farewelled his parish in Santa Teresa, Central Australia for his new assignment in Rome early this year, he did not realise he would soon be watching first-hand as the white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, announcing the election of a new pope.
Fr Ollie, who comes from Vanuatu and is now assigned to the SVD Generalate in Rome, said the opportunity to farewell Pope Francis and welcome Pope Leo XIV along with thousands of other people from all over the world was something he will always remember.
A missionary Pope for a missionary Church
As I write this message, we are still celebrating the election of a new pope, Pope Leo XIV, following the death at Easter time of Pope Francis.
It is wonderful to note that Pope Leo is a missionary, from the Augustinian order, and in his first address to the crowds in St Peter’s Square he called for a missionary Church.
Third Jubilee webinar to focus on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
You are warmly invited to join us on Thursday, June 8, as the SVD Australia Province continues its webinar series to celebrate the SVD's 150th anniversary. Christ is risen, alleluia! Pope's final message of hope and plea for peace
Pope Francis's final words spoken in public were to give the Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing, to the City and the World, from the loggia of St Peter’s Basilica.
He then passed on the text of his Easter Message to be read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, and the Pope’s words rang out proclaiming: “Christ is risen”.
The Pope of the peripheries remembered throughout Australia Province
Pope Francis, who was well known for his desire to reach out beyond Rome to the Church on the peripheries, has been remembered with special prayers and Masses across the SVD Australia Province.
From Thailand and Myanmar to New Zealand and some of the most remote communities in Australia, the faithful of the SVD Australia Province have come together to pray for Pope Francis’ eternal repose and to give thanks for his papacy which was marked by humility, mercy and hope.
Floods and festivities in Central West Queensland
It’s been several weeks of highs and lows for the Central West Queensland Catholic Church, with the parish community facing serious floods while at the same time celebrating 125 years of Catholic education and the arrival of a new assistant priest.
Fr Rius Salu SVD has arrived from his previous assignment in Daly River, NT, to assist parish priest Fr Peter Bang SVD as the district mops up from the record floods.
SVD takes up new parish in Myanmar
The SVD Mission in Myanmar took another big step forward this month, taking up the pastoral care of a brand new parish, which was officially inaugurated by Cardinal Charles Bo SDB, the Archbishop of Yangon.
“Big day for us SVDs as we celebrated the inauguration of Annunciation of the Lord Parish aka Bawle Kyun parish in Htantabin Township,” the SVD confreres in Myanmar said.
From Rome to South Africa: Fr Anthony explores aspects of mission in the world today
A deep interest in exploring the intersection between religion and some of the big questions facing modern society underpinned Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD’s recent participation in an international conference on mission in Rome, followed by speaking engagements at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice in South Africa.
Fr Anthony, who is a member of the SVD Australia Provincial Council, based in Bangkok, Thailand, said that both events helped contribute to his lived experience and understanding of mission in the world today.
Celebrating resurrection joy, even as we mourn Pope Francis
Happy Easter to all! As we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in this Easter season, I pray that the joy of the empty tomb becomes a reality in your daily life, and through you, to the life of all you meet.
Our Easter Octave was tinged with deep sadness at the death of Pope Francis, but his death also gave us the opportunity to once again focus on the joy of the resurrection which follows a life lived in the joy of the Gospel.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
In the spirit of reconciliation, the Society of the Divine Word, Australia Province, acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, sky, and community.
We acknowledge their skin-groups, story-lines, traditions, religiosity and living cultures.
We pay respect to their elders, past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all indigenous peoples of New Zealand, Thailand, and Myanmar.
We are committed to building with them, a brighter future together.