Debra Vermeer
WYD pilgrimage a chance to walk in faith with young people, Fr Stephen says
Among the million or so pilgrims at World Youth Day in Brazil, is Fr Stephen Pilly SVD of Sacred Heart Parish, Preston, in suburban Melbourne.
Before he left, Fr Stephen said what he was most looking forward to was to walk in faith with the young people he is accompanying, and to enjoy his own deep encounters with Jesus.
Listening to history of Aboriginal people is crucial to understanding the present
It is important for the Church to delve more deeply into the history of the indigenous communities it serves, and to listen more deeply, in order to fully understand and adequately respond to the present reality of the Aboriginal people, says Fr Jim Knight SVD, who lives and works in Central Australia.
Fr Jim, who joined the Divine Word Missionaries in 1957 in Marburg, Queensland, has stepped down now from his role as Parish Priest at Santa Teresa, an Aboriginal community about 80 km from Alice Springs. But he will continue to live and minister in the community, while also exploring the history of the Arrernte people of Central Australia and their contact and growing relationship with European people over the decades.
Migrants, refugees have a face, a name says SVD scholar
The danger in talking about migrants and refugees is that we always talk about statistics, rather than focusing on the real people, with real faces and real names who lie behind the statistics – people who are all made in the image of God, says Fr vanThanh Nguyen SVD, a visiting Scripture scholar.
Fr vanThanh is Associate Professor of New Testament Studies at Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union. He was in Australia recently to teach a course for The Broken Bay Institute entitled ‘Strangers, Migrants and Refugees in the Bible’, as well as give a series of talks and retreats around the country.
Daily News brings joy and disappointment
As this edition of In the Word is published, we are surrounded with news and events that range from joyful and life-giving to profoundly sad and frustrating.
On the joyful side, we are witnessing all the energy, faith and exuberance of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pope Francis set the tone when he said this upon arrival in Rio:“I have neither silver nor gold, but I bring with me the most precious thing given to me: Jesus Christ! I have come in his name, to feed the flame of brotherly love that burns in every heart, and I wish my greeting to reach one and all: The peace of Christ be with you!"
SVDs to bid fond farewell to St Cecilia’s Parish, Hamilton
The Divine Word Missionaries will say a fond farewell to St Cecilia’s Parish, Hamilton in Brisbane in early August, after almost 20 years of pastoring to a community that is renowned for its warmth and for the long-term commitment of its members to parish life.
That commitment can be seen in 99-year-old Gwendoline Gleeson who operates the overhead projector at weekend masses, along with her sister Viv, aged 90, who is the organist, as well as many other parishioners who have been involved with various ministries for decades.
Restoring hope in Cebu - "ordinary people can make a difference"
When Ron and Maria Natoli of Sydney, first visited Cebu in the Philippines 12 years ago and saw the city’s poorest people living on the rubbish tip, they knew they had to help.
Now, when they visit they see lives that have changed for the better, and according to Ron, it all comes down to building great partnerships.
Thank God for the gardeners - a reflection
In the Scriptures vineyards are often mentioned. A vineyard is, of course, a type of garden.
Helping seminarians in Laos an enriching experience, says Fr Anthony
Imagine studying for the priesthood at a seminary where there are no Bible commentaries or online homily resources in your own language.
For the students at St John Mary Vianney Major Seminary in Laos this is the situation they face. Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD recently visited Laos to lend a hand.
Change helps us to grow deeper into the life of Christ
They say that the one constant in life is change, and that is certainly true of the religious life. One of the great things about being in a missionary religious society is that ministries and personnel are always changing according to the needs of the time. It’s a dynamic way to live, although it does have the effect of regularly taking us out of our comfort zone, which can provide challenges and some short term pain.
Overseas Training Program helps Laurensius find real meaning of being a missionary
For Indonesia’s Laurensius Woda, being a part of the Divine Word Missionaries’ Overseas Training Program in New Zealand and Australia has helped him find the real meaning of being a religious missionary.
The Overseas/Cross-Cultural Training Program (OTP) gives missionary students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new language, experience a new culture and engage in supervised ministry.
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