The people of Central western Queensland are doing it tough as drought continues to threaten their livelihoods and well-being, but Fr Ronaldo Rodriguez SVD, says he has been heartened by the generosity of people across the Diocese of Rockhampton and beyond to offer a helping hand to his suffering parishioners.

Fr Ronaldo has pastoral care for the Catholic communities of Blackall and Tambo Parish, which fall under the Western Deanery.

As I write this message, the Church has entered fully into the season of Lent, and is also marking the first anniversary of the election of Pope Francis.

Lent is always a good time to take spiritual stock and I have been thinking in these recent days of the wonderful example that Pope Francis is being to all of us who seek to live Christ’s mission.

I think, if asked what they find most striking about Francis, many would say it is his simplicity. 

The Divine Word Missionaries are delighted to be part of an exciting new book from Catholic Mission, in collaboration with Catholic Religious Australia, in which 12 Australian leaders from various Catholic ministries examine and respond in faith to Pope Francis’ recent apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel.

The book, entitled Living the Joy of the Gospel: The Francis Effect contains personal reflections on the Pope’s beautiful letter, and also proposes ways in which the Holy Father’s message can be lived more fully in the Church in Australia.

The SVD AUS Province’s Philippines Disaster Appeal prompted an outpouring of love and solidarity, with the funds being directed not only to immediate emergency relief, but also to the ongoing task of rebuilding villages, lives and livelihoods.

Provincial, Fr Henry Adler SVD, says that over $58,000 was raised during the appeal in the wake of devastating Typhoon Haiyan.

“It was a remarkable response from people, to raise that sort of total at very short notice, and right before Christmas,” Fr Henry says.

The new Provincial Superior of the SVD AUS Province, Fr Henry Adler SVD says that as he begins his new ministry of leadership, he is motivated by the example of his predecessor, Fr Tim Norton SVD, whose “passion for mission and service to the poor and less fortunate has been inspiring and contagious”.

Fr Henry, who was previously Mission Secretary for the Province, was elected to the position by his confreres, with the SVD Generalate confirming the appointment in August. The appointment is for a three year term, which began on January 1.

Dorish Maru College, the house of formation for the SVD AUS Province, has a new rector, with Fr Michael Hardie’s appointment being one of a raft of reassignments to be made under the new Provincial leadership team.

Fr Michael replaces Fr Joseph Vu SVD, who leaves Dorish Maru College to take up his new role as District Superior of the Queensland District and chaplain to the Vietnamese Community in Brisbane.

It has been a whirlwind start to the year for me personally and for the AUS Province of the Society of the Divine Word more generally.

Since taking up my role as Provincial on New Year’s Day, I, together with the Provincial Council, have been looking at our various missionary ministries and prayerfully examining how we can build on the existing energy and experience that exists in those ministries and carry them forward with fresh passion and enthusiasm.

January 15 is the Feast Day of the founder of the Society of the Divine Word, St Arnold Janssen.

Special masses and events will be held at SVD communities around the AUS Province.

The St Arnold Janssen Chapel at Marsfield was full to overflowing when friends from many different language and cultural groups came together to celebrate a very multicultural Carols by Candlelight.

The packed program featured about 20 groups singing Christmas carols in a variety of languages, as well as English. Many of the groups were in traditional cultural dress, adding to the beauty of the occasion.

Fr Mike Knight SVD says he was determined not to cry when the community of the St Arnold Janssen Chapel in Marsfield farewelled him in early December, but the tears crept up on him anyway.

Up to 180 people gathered for Sunday Eucharist at the Chapel, followed by the blessing of the new “The Word Centre”, and the farewell gathering for Fr Mike, who is finishing his term as Rector of the SVD Marsfield community.