Christianity in Africa is growing fast, but this growth, together with unique cultural factors, presents both challenges and opportunities if the African people are to transform a ‘Sunday Christianity’ into an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ, an SVD Mission Day gathering has heard.

Missionary, academic and educator, Fr Erasmus Norviewu-Mortty SVD was born in Ghana, and continues to be deeply involved in education there.

Some people ask me, “Why are you a religious?”

“Well, God called me to religious life,” I answer.

“That’s it?” They ask further.

“Yup, that’s it,” I tell them.

With Mission Sunday (October 19) now behind us and the Mission Month of October drawing to a close, it is good to reflect on some of the key themes that have emerged in our celebrations.

The first theme that springs to mind is Joy. As we have come to expect from Pope Francis, his Message for World Mission Sunday was infused with joy, the ‘Joy of the Gospel’, which we are all called to share.

When Fr Gerard Mulholland SVD found out a few months ago that he had late-stage Motor Neurone Disease, he was angry with God. Now, with his faith to sustain him, Fr Gerard says he is looking forward to heaven, but, with the loving care of family, confreres and friends, is still enjoying every day on earth as much as he can.

“I was very angry with God for a couple of weeks,” he says.

When Indonesian-born Fr Boni Buahendri SVD was assigned to Australia as a missionary priest, he dreamed of working with indigenous people in a remote location. Instead, he found himself first in parish ministry and now in formation of young missionaries, and he says he could not be happier.

“I love working with these young people,” he says. “In our society today, only a few people want to become missionary brothers and priests, so to see these young people so enthusiastic to become missionaries makes my day.

Renowned US missiologist, Fr Stephen Bevans SVD will return to Australia in May, 2015 as keynote speaker for the Mission: One Heart Many Voices conference.

Hosted by Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia, the conference aims to be a multi-sector dialogue on living the joy of the Gospel and leading mission.

The SVD AUS Province is gearing up to celebrate World Mission Sunday on October 19, with activities planned right across the Province to mark this special day of grace and joy.

In the lead-up to October 19, the annual SVD Mission Day will be held at the Yarra Theological Union, on Saturday, October 4, exploring “The Impact of Christianity on African Traditional Religions”. Meanwhile, parishes and groups are invited to visit our website and download a liturgy resource kit aimed at creating a meaningful celebration of World Mission Sunday. 

When Fr Rodrigo de la Rosa SVD left the missions of Brazil in 2003, he thought his missionary life had come to an end, but God had other plans for him, and those plans have brought him to a new mission, in a cluster of parishes around Mackay in Queensland.

Fr Rod says his mission, which sees him undertake the pastoral care of four large parishes in the Mackay region of the Rockhampton Diocese, has been a joy to him, not least because it was so unexpected.

For many years now the Divine Word Missionaries have been commited to interfaith dialogue and interfaith living and learning, and so in the wake of the recent terrorist raids in Sydney and Brisbane, we find ourselves looking at the situation with a unique perspective.

Certainly the first thing that needs to be said is that we support the law enforcement authorities in their work of preventing crime. Where problems arise is when people begin to confuse criminal activity with the presence and lawful activity of all Muslims. 

Is your parish, group or organisation celebrating World Mission Sunday on Sunday, October 19?

If you are seeking liturgical resources to help celebrate the day, look no further. We are delighted to provide a fully downloadable resource for your use.