The Divine Word Missionaries, who have a strong presence in the Philippines, have been on the ground in the areas worst hit by devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), spearheading a massive relief effort to help the injured, homeless, starving and bereaved.

To support this effort, the SVD AUS Province set up a special Philippines Disaster Appeal, to direct donations straight to the relief teams and to the people in desperate need.

Last month I reflected with you on the impact of the bushfires in New South Wales. This month our attention is focused on the aftermath of devastating Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Of course, severe weather events such as these have always been a part of human history, but scientists are telling us that they will increase in regularity and intensity as climate change continues to affect our planet.

SVD Superior General, Fr Heinz Kulueke gives an update on the "Bangon Igsuon" (Stand UP Brothers and Sisters) relief operation in the Philippines:

"After a series of careful planning meetings by the relief operations team, assessment of the damage and the needs of the affected families in Bantayan Island, careful repacking of relief goods, and contacts with concerned citizens and leaders of the affected areas, the relief operation was ready..."

When Yolanda’s (Haiyan's) hours of rage subsided, images of grief, chaos and destruction in the Central Philippines emerged. The international community saw how the once thriving city of Tacloban was devastated; its people overwhelmed by fear, grief and loss.

The SVD Disaster Team of PHS immediately responded to the call for a massive humanitarian effort to aid the victims. 

Relief operations are in full swing. Relief food packs are expected to be allocated to 10,000 families, many of whom are still starving. 

Dear Friends, confreres, benefactors, donors and volunteers,

Preparation for large relief operation has begun full blast. Hundreds of volunteers, mostly our students are the University of San Carlos, came to help in the repacking.

We have ordered many tons of rice, many boxes of noodles, purified water, coffee, milk, kitchen utensils, blankets and others. 

The Divine Word Missionary relief effort for the people of the Philippines devastated by Taiphoon Haiyan is well underway, with teams on the ground helping to get relief to those most in need, according to Superior General Fr Heinz Kuluke SVD.

Fr Heinz has written to confreres around the world, including the Australian Province, to thank them and their communities and supporters for sending donations to make the relief operations possible.

“The SVD Disaster Team is in place and working zealously,” Fr Heinz said.

Divine Word Missionaries, who are on the ground in the worst affected areas of the Philippines, say they are “racing against time” to reach all those who are dying of hunger, thirst and illness in the wake of Taiphoon Haiyan.

And to help the SVD Disaster relief team to quickly assist those in most need, the SVD AUS Province has established a special Appeal to which people can donate from today.

Bishop Tony Burgess, recently retired as the Bishop of Wewak in Papua New Guinea, has died after a battle with cancer.

Bishop Burgess died on Wednesday, October 23, having returned home to Australia in September because of his illness, to be nearer to his family and medical needs.

World Mission Sunday, which we celebrated on October 20, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit ourselves to the Church's missionary activity through prayer, sacrifice and personal involvement.

In collaboration with the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and with our lay partners in Mission, we as SVD members support and celebrate with the local and worldwide Church our unique calling to God’s Mission.

As I write this message, savage bushfires are burning across areas around Sydney, in particular the Blue Mountains. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who are affected by the fires, especially those who have lost their homes and all their belongings.