Jubilee Webinar JPIC screenshot Fr Ben 250A 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.

MOHMV 2025 logo 250The 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.

Terry Williamson Benemerenti Medal presentation 250A 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.

Fr Olivier Noclam SVD in St Peters Square after election of Pope Leo 250When 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.

Fr Asaeli Rass SVD profile pic 250As 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.

A lot of people may be asking, "Look at our world right now – where is the Peace? And where is God?" It's a fair question. When we turn on the TV and watch the news, we see war, conflict, division, and suffering in many countries.

Love is a word that we always hear. Every time we hear the word love our eyes lit up and somehow our heart beats just a little bit faster. However, the word love is one of the most misunderstood and one of the most abused words, in my opinion.

In today’s first reading, we could hear Paul and Barnabas reaching out to the Jewish people and Gentiles. Gentiles means anyone who is not Jewish.

Jubilee JPIC Lecture flyer 250You are warmly invited to join us on Thursday, June 8, as the SVD Australia Province continues its webinar series to celebrate the SVD's 150th anniversary.
 This webinar will explore the Jubilee theme, 'Witnessing tot he Light: from everywhere for everyone' from the perspective of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. The keynote speaker will be Fr Benigno P. Beltran SVD, with Fr Felixberto 'Jun' Perez SVD responding.

The commissioning of Peter and the disciples by the Risen Christ resembles the first commissioning by Jesus when he began his ministry by the Sea of Galilee.

Page 1 of 46

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/svdaus

 


Download Our App

Search for
'Divine Word Missionaries AUS'

apple 190

google 190

microsoft 190

Upcoming Events

27 May
National Reconciliation Week
Date 27.05.25 - 03.06.25
4 Jun
Gospel of John (Marsfield) Group
04.06.25 7:30pm - 9:30pm
5 Jun
Genesis Bible Study Group
05.06.25 7:30pm - 9:30pm
11 Jun
Gospel of John (Marsfield) Group
11.06.25 7:30pm - 9:30pm

donate btn 468

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Society of the Divine Word, Australia Province, acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, sky, and community.

We acknowledge their skin-groups, story-lines, traditions, religiosity and living cultures.

We pay respect to their elders, past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all indigenous peoples of New Zealand, Thailand, and Myanmar.

We are committed to building with them, a brighter future together.