Joy as newly ordained priest prepares for first assignment in Australia Province
The Australia Province will soon welcome a newly ordained priest, Fr Roger Kyaw Thu SVD, as he takes up his first assignment to his homeland of Myanmar.
Roger, together with three other Divine Word Missionaries, was ordained last month by Bishop J. Terry Steib SVD, the Bishop Emeritus of Memphis Tennessee, at the Church of the Holy Family in Chicago, USA.
Parish Corner - Townsville parishioners embrace missionary outlook
The arrival of the Divine Word Missionaries at the Ministerial Region of the Good Shepherd in Townsville, Queensland marked a significant change for the community, but now, three years down the road, parishioners have not only embraced the SVD’s missionary outlook but shared their own strong faith as well.
The SVD was invited to the Townsville Diocese by Bishop Timothy Harris to undertake parish ministry both in the suburbs of the city and also with the First Nations peoples of Palm Island.
Our Mother Earth is weeping - reflection
God created everything by his words. He created in an orderly fashion. For six days, the things he created were all good. He was satisfied and fulfilled with what he had done. Then, he created human beings not by word but from his own creation, the earth (dust). He formed the human beings accordingly, with his tender loving care and breathed his breath on his new creation, reflects Fr Jun Perez SVD.
Everything the human beings needed was in their midst. They lived in perfect harmony with other creatures because they were a part of nature, co-existing with all. God gave them the responsibility to be the care taker of his creation.
Now more than ever we need to walk together on Reconciliation journey
The journey to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is not easy, but the Catholic Church remains hopeful of healing. That is the message from Chair of the Bishops Commission for Relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Bishop Charles Gauci, as Australians mark National Reconciliation Week.
We Divine Word Missionaries share that hope for healing, and in fact, it is the bedrock of all that we do in our ministry with First Nations peoples in Australia.
PNG presentations on pressing global issues help equip seminarians for ministry
A recent visit to Papua New Guinea to give presentations to seminarians on ‘ecological conscience’ and social media, was an energising experience for Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD.
Fr Anthony is a Divine Word Missionary of the Australia Province, based in Bangkok and is Executive Director of the Asian Research Centre for Religion and Social Communication.
Fr Alex receives warm welcome at new Auckland parish
Fr Alejandro (Alex) de la Sotta SVD has been warmly welcomed as Parish Priest of St Bernadette’s Parish in the vibrant heart of Auckland, New Zealand, and is enjoying not only the diverse, multicultural community, but also the opportunity to get involved in the local Laudato Si’ Farm.
“My arrival at St Bernadette's Parish was a welcoming process more than a formal installation ceremony with the bishop,” he said. “Coming from the East Coast Parish, I was received with open arms by this vibrant community.
From Alice Springs to Rome - Fr Prakash helps prepare General Chapter working document
Fr Prakash Menezes SVD, parish priest in Alice Springs, will have a good understanding of the Instrumentum Laboris, or working document, of the upcoming SVD General Chapter when he arrives in Rome next month, having been part of the international commission which prepared it.
Fr Prakash was selected to be a member of the 2nd International Preparatory Commission which met in Rome in April.
Visit to Thailand and Myanmar highlights 'inspirational' work being done by missionaries
A pastoral visitation to Thailand and Myanmar highlighted once again the inspirational work being done by SVD missionaries in those places, said Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD.
Both Thailand and Myanmar are part of the SVD Australia Province and both districts are experiencing their own joys and challenges in mission.
Let us heed the call to action embedded in the Easter message - reflection
As we celebrate the joyous occasion of Easter, I extend my heartfelt greetings to each one of you, said SVD Superior-General Fr Budi Kleden SVD.
The Resurrection of the Lord is the cornerstone of our faith and resonates with the profound message of God's boundless love and the promise of new life.
Under-5 Gathering a chance for confreres to connect & share missionary experience
SVD members who have been ordained or ministering in Australia for fewer than five years gathered in Townsville recently for a week of ongoing formation and fellowship.
The confreres, who come from all around the world, and are assigned to various parts of the country, gathered over the first week of April and said they returned to their respective parishes happy, refreshed and re-energised.