Some weeks seem more tumultuous than others, and this week, across the globe, we have witnessed much trauma.

I am thinking, of course, of the thousands of people who have died or been injured or left homeless in Nepal and surrounding areas in the avalanches and destruction caused by a major earthquake. I am thinking also of the two Australian men, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were executed in Indonesia for their drug trafficking crimes, along with six people from other countries.

The newly appointed Vocations Director of the SVD AUS Province, Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD, says that personal witness to the joy of missionary life will be the cornerstone of his approach to promoting vocations.

“I love my life as a SVD, and I want to share that joy and to invite people to join us,” he says.

SVD confreres have been gathering in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand for Local Chapter meetings, where they report on their ministries, highlights and challenges ahead of the AUS Provincial Chapter meeting in Sydney in June.

Provincial Local Chapter Coordinator, Fr Asaeli Raass SVD, says the meetings are an important component of providing input from Divine Word Missionaries “on the ground” in a wide variety of ministries and activities.

When Fr Albano Da Costa SVD leaves to take up further studies in Rome next month, he will be looking forward to the challenge of what’s to come, but says he will also miss the parishioners, clergy and lay leaders who brought him so much joy in New Zealand.

Fr Albano, who holds a Masters in Philosophy, has been asked by the SVD AUS Province to move to Rome for two years to study for his Licentiate in Missiology.

Five young men took their Perpetual Vows as Divine Word Missionaries during a joyous celebration in Melbourne this month.

Anthony Li, Marianus Supardi, Michael Wu, Laurensisus Woda and Uili Uvea took their vows before a packed congregation in St Paschal’s Chapel, Box Hill. The following day, Marianus and Uili were ordained to the Diaconate.

As this edition of In the Word is published, we are about to immerse ourselves once again in the extraordinary experience that is Holy Week.

Of course for many of us, perhaps especially those of us who are priests, this is a busy time with all the various Masses, liturgies and commitments.

The SVD AUS Province has today launched a special appeal for the people of Vanuatu whose lives have been devastated by Cyclone Pam.

From today and over the coming weeks, all funds donated to our Overseas Aid Fund will go directly to the people of Vanuatu to help them with their immediate desperate needs for food, water and shelter, but also for their needs as they seek to rebuild their lives.

The deadly cyclone Pam ripped through the tiny island nation of Vanuatu last Friday, 13th March 2015 at an incredible speed of over 300 kilometres an hour, leaving behind devastation and chaos.

Over the weekend the Australian media broadcasted images from Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, showing destroyed homes and uprooted trees. Seven people have been reported dead so far but the number will probably increase in the coming hours and days.

Please join us as we pray for five of our young confreres who will take their Perpetual Vows this Saturday, March 14.

The Society of the Divine Word gives thanks to the Triune God for the lifetime commitment being given by Anthony HongZhou, Marianus Supardi, Michael PenFei Wu, Laurensius Wae Woda and Uili Uvea as they take their Perpetual Vows at St Paschal’s Chapel, Box Hill at 10am.

The Divine Word Missionaries AUS Province has moved to honour its history in a new way, with the establishment of a professional archive room.

The archives were organised by Br Peter Fogarty CFC and were blessed by Fr Ho Bach Tran SVD, who has taken up the position of Director of Archives for the Province.