Debra Vermeer
Events offer the chance to focus on mission, synodality and sharing the Gospel
With the SVD’s Sesquicentenary Year now underway, we are looking forward to a raft of events and celebrations around our Province in the leadup to the 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the Society of the Divine Word on September 8, 2025.
Among these is the annual SVD Mission Day in Melbourne, to be hosted by Dorish Maru College and held on October 12. The Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph, Sr Monica Cavanagh RSJ will be the principal speaker, with systematic theologian and experienced pastoral associate, Dr Cecilia Francisco-Tan the respondent. All are welcome.
Bangkok SVD Community opens 150-Year Jubilee with Silver Jubilee celebration of SVD presence in Thailand
Nearly 100 friends and benefactors gathered at the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) community in Bangkok on Sunday, September 15, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of SVD’s presence in Thailand.
While the main celebration is scheduled to take place in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, northeastern Thailand, on September 28, the Bangkok community held a local event for those unable to make the 600 km journey to Nong Bua Lamphu.
Warm celebrations in Tiwi Islands for OLSH Sisters' anniversary
The ‘Our Lady of Peace and St Therese’ community in Wurrumiyanga (Bathurst Island) celebrated the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) congregation recently, writes Fr Niran Veigas SVD.
The Wurrumiyanga community gathered to thank God for the countless blessings bestowed upon them through the tireless service of the OLSH sisters, who have faithfully served the Tiwi Islands for over 112 years.
Palm Island community gives thanks for 100 years of the Eucharist
The Palm Island community marked the 100th anniversary of the first Mass on the island recently, in a joyful celebration of culture and faith.
Townsville Bishop Timothy Harris was chief celebrant at the anniversary Mass, celebrated on the Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, and marking 100 years since the first Mass was said in a classroom by Dr Kelly, the Parish Priest of Ingham, North Queensland, in 1924.
Students' winter trip to heart of Australia a 'transformational' pilgrimage
The Divine Word Missionary seminarians took a break from Dorish Maru College in Melbourne over winter and embarked on an epic pilgrimage to the spiritual heart of Australia – an experience which had a big impact on their hearts and their formation as missionary priests.
The pilgrimage took the students from Melbourne to Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Uluru, Alice Springs, Santa Teresa and Port Augusta. They were accompanied by Formator of Scholastics, Fr Linh Nguyen SVD and Vice-Rector of Dorish Maru College and OTP Director, Fr Yon Wiryono SVD.
Big turnout as multicultural celebration returns to Marsfield
The St Arnold Janssen Chapel and the surrounding grounds of the SVD Marsfield Community took on a vibrant and colourful character earlier this month with the celebration of Multicultural Sunday.
More than 400 people gathered for the popular event, which returned after four years disruption due to the COVID pandemic.
Join with us as we approach opening of SVD's 150th anniversary year
We are very close to the opening of celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word.
In the Australia Province the opening of the anniversary year on the SVD Foundation Day, September 8, will take place on the same day that we witness the ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Cuong Quoc Dang SVD in Melbourne.
SVD General Chapter elects new leadership, sets directions for coming years
The 19th General Chapter of the Society of the Divine Word concluded on Sunday, July 14, with a Thanksgiving Liturgy featuring the installation and commissioning of the new Superior General, Father Anselmo Ricardo Ribeiro SVD, and his General Councillors, marking a significant leadership transition.
Australian Provincial Fr Asaeli Rass SVD and Provincial delegate Fr Prakash Menezes SVD both said the month-long Chapter had been hard work, but was a positive experience of the global life and mission of the Society of the Divine Word.
Parish Corner: Cultural diversity enriches life and mission of St Mark's Parish
St Mark’s Catholic Parish in Inala is well-known for its multicultural richness, and that cultural diversity underpins the faith life and missionary outreach of the parish community.
The relationship between St Mark’s parish and the Divine Word Missionaries goes all the way back to the start when Fr Aloysius Kasprus SVD was appointed the first parish priest in 1956.
Brisbane's Vietnamese Catholic Community celebrates opening of new church
Brisbane’s Vietnamese Catholic Community fulfilled a dream that has been 45 years in the making this month with the opening and dedication of its new church.
About 2000 people attended the opening of the Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church at Inala.
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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.