The SVD mission in the predominantly Indigenous, remote parish of Balgo-Kutjungka in the Diocese of Broome, Western Australia, is widespread, taking in the main parish church and six outstations, with the furthest one being 10 hours drive away.

But despite the big distances involved, Parish Priest, Fr Paulo Vanuitu SVD, says the mission is clear – to accompany the people in the daily challenges and joys of their lives and to share in their rich cultural and faith life.

As you receive this edition of In the News we are preparing soon to celebrate NATSICC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday and NAIDOC Week under the theme “Sent Forth in Strength and Hope’.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope it is wonderful to reflect on this theme, realising that it invites us to action in walking together with our Indigenous brothers and sisters anchored in the strength and the hope of Jesus Christ.

In his first public address following his election as the successor to Saint Peter, Pope Leo XIV firmly reaffirmed the Church’s essential identity and enduring mission in the face of an increasingly fragmented and unstable socio-cultural landscape, reflects Fr Michael Quang Nguyen SVD.

Speaking with clarity and pastoral urgency, Pope Leo declared: “We must find ways to become a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, that engages in dialogue, that opens its arms wide to welcome all.”

A personal testimony to a remarkable story of resilience, hope and community action among the impoverished people of Smokey Mountain in Manila, the Philippines, was the inspirational backdrop to the SVD Australia Province’s third Jubilee Year Online Presentation held recently.

Fr Benigno Beltran SVD was the keynote speaker, sharing his experience of being part of a movement which saw the residents of Smokey Mountain move from scavenging on the city garbage dump to living in basic housing, accessing education, learning computer skills, and starting up a farming cooperative and eco-sustainability initiatives.

The Divine Word Missionaries and Holy Spirit Sisters were well-represented at the Mission One Heart Many Voices conference in Sydney this month, with participants exploring the theme: Choosing Hope. Trust yourself to its leading.

Among the presenters at the conference was Bishop Tim Norton SVD, who led a workshop exploring the idea of being ‘Pilgrims of Hope in communities of diversity’, as well as being chief celebrant at the conference Mass and a panellist for a discussion forum.

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.

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.

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.