A 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.
Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD, said the papal honour was awarded to Terry for “his exemplary Christian witness, dedicated volunteer work, as well as his respectful approach and unwavering commitment to every challenging endeavour he has embraced throughout his 43 years of service with the SVD”.
“We, as a Province, wanted to honour that witness and dedication which shines through in Terry in everything he does,” Fr Rass said.
“He lives his life as a professional in his area of expertise, finance, in such a way that is dignified and is marked by a generosity in sharing his expertise pro-bono with us over many years.
“We were very happy to offer him this recognition, through the Society, and through this medal from Pope Francis, who was so well known for encouraging lay people to take up their role working for the Church and the Kingdom of God.”
Fr Rass said that as an Anglican providing professional advice in the Catholic sphere, Terry also personified a practical commitment to ecumenism which was admirable.
The citation on the medal, which was approved by Pope Francis before his death, read: "Pope Francis awarded and bestowed upon the well-deserving Mr Terence Walter Williamson a golden medal, specially established for the Christian cause, giving him the opportunity to adorn himself with this ornament."
Terry first began volunteering for the SVD while he was working for accounting firm Price Waterhouse in PNG in the early 1980s.
According to the story recounted by his wife Helen at the award dinner, she had been attending a meeting at St Mary’s Church presbytery in Lae, when Br James Wilkins SVD mentioned he was looking for someone to help with an audit of SVD assets who would understand both mission and finance.
Helen mentioned Terry’s name and Br James wasted no time in seeking his expertise.
“And so began a great friendship and partnership in shared ministry, missionary spirituality and professional advice,” Helen said at the dinner.
“I am proud that this relationship continues today in various forms.
“The relationship fits well with the SVD charism and the role of laity in our Church today. It also reflects the importance of the model of church about which our late Pope Francis frequently spoke and positively encouraged … ALL people working together for the greater good. It has been a long and fruitful partnership based on understanding mission.”
In accepting the award, Terry acknowledged and thanked everyone present (including Bishop Tim Norton SVD, joining by Zoom, due to Covid), along with Helen, his family friends and colleagues, and SVD members.
“My journey with the SVD has extended over 43 years as the SVD has become part of our family,” he said.
During those early days, Terry assisted with the financial accounts and the audit of the PNG Province records and related investments.
“Our home and family in Lae also hosted many SVD representatives travelling to and from Mt Hagen,” he said.
“After both Br James and I transferred back to Sydney, the relationship also travelled.”
Arriving back in Sydney Terry offered advice in developing a financial strategy, including selling property assets, which provided capital to support the future operation of the SVD Australia Province.
He has since worked with a number of provincials, most recently, Fathers Asaeli Rass, Henry Adler and Tim Norton, as well as provincial treasurers, including the current treasurer Fr Stephan Gerdes, who helped facilitate the papal medal.
Terry said both he and Helen had always had a strong commitment to serving the local and Church community.
Along with his contribution to the SVD, Terry has also been a member of various boards and finance committees, including the Sydney Archdiocesan Development Fund, St Vincent’s and Mater Hospitals (Sisters of Charity), the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands, and the Advisory Board of the School of Business of the University of Sydney.
“Each of these roles were enhanced by personal relationships between myself as a lay person (and non-Catholic), religious and other professionals with the objective of improving our community,” he said.
“I found that all my partners in this journey were driven by mutual objectives and goodwill, and without concern of an individual’s background
“Helen and I have adopted our SVD friends as family and feel this has been reciprocated.”
Terry thanked all SVD members for their support over the last 43 years.
“I have recently joked that I have been an adopted member of the SVD Family for longer than most current SVD members,” he said.
“Importantly, I have appreciated the opportunities arising from our shared journey and trust my experience may serve as an example for both lay and religious members in developing personal relations and support.”
PHOTOS
TOP RIGHT: Terry Williamson (centre) receives his Papal Medal from Province Treasurer Fr Stephan Gerdes SVD (right) and Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD.
MIDDLE LEFT: Terry, and his wife Helen receive the accompanying citation promulgated by the late Pope Francis.
BOTTOM RIGHT: The Benemerenti Medal and citation.