On National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday, earlier this month, Broome Bishop Tim Norton SVD reflected on the Gospel passage, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.' (Matthew 11:28).

The context of the Gospel is Jesus is correcting people’s understanding of who he is and what his ministry is about. In the verses before today’s reading, the disciples of John asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?” Jesus responds by showing that, in a changing world, the best way to bring about change is through acts of mercy—one act at a time.

The Holy Redeemer Church in Buengkan Province, Thailand is both a place of prayer and Eucharistic worship and a centre of compassionate outreach for those in need.

Parish Priest Fr Pham Dinh Tuan SVD, who recently celebrated the 15^th anniversary of his priesthood, is close to his parishioners, most of whom live a rural subsistence farming lifestyle.

Staff and students at the SVD’s formation house, Dorish Maru College in Melbourne, have farewelled secretary Vicky Cheung, whose presence extended beyond her professional duties to encompass the roles of mentor, friend and mother-figure.

Vicky retired this month after 17 years in the job and her deep contribution to the lives of many young missionaries-in-training was honoured at an emotional farewell function.

The Good Shepherd Community Centre in Townsville has celebrated its 25^th anniversary, with parishioners past and present giving thanks to God for a quarter century of shared faith and continued growth.

Parish Priest, Fr Joseph Reddy SVD said the anniversary Mass and morning tea was a time of gratitude for all that God has accomplished through the parish community since its beginnings in 2001.

Promoting ‘Integral Human Development in a Fragmented World’ calls people to listen to the cries of the vulnerable and to engage in respectful creative dialogue and cultural renewal, said the speakers in the second instalment of the SVD Australia Province’s 2026 online lecture series.

Looking at the theme from the Magisterial and Interreligious Perspectives, the presentation featured distinguished scholars, Fr Sebastian M. Michael SVD and Fr Wilibaldus Gaut SVD.

In the coming week, from August 2-9, the Catholic Church in Australia is celebrating National Vocations Awareness Week.

A Vocation is first and foremost a gift from God. It guides us in how we respond to God’s love and live that out in our life. For many, God leads us to marriage and family life. For others, it may be single life, while some are called to the vocation of priesthood or Religious life.

The parish of St Clement Catholic Church in Chum Phae, in Thailand’s Khon Kaen Province is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year.

Parish Priest, Fr Ben Bella SVD, said the relatively small parish is located in a rural area, surrounded by several villages with the church an important centre of faith and fellowship for the local people.

SVD seminarians at Dorish Maru College in Melbourne have put aside their textbooks for the winter academic break and have begun a program of formation workshops alongside parish pastoral placements.

The students, who come from a variety of different countries, say the workshops and practical pastoral experience is helping them to discern and prepare for life as a Divine Word Missionary.

The second presentation in the SVD Australia Province’s online lecture series for this year, exploring the theme, ‘Integral Human Development in a Fragmented World’ will take place on Thursday, July 16.

Exploring the theme from the Magisterial and Interreligious Perspectives, the presentation will feature distinguished scholars, Fr Sebastian M. Michael SVD and Fr Wilibaldus Gaut SVD.

Fr Truc Quoc Phan SVD has bid a fond farewell to the parishioners of Emerald Parish in Queensland’s Central Highlands to move to Sydney and take up the role of Mission Secretary for the SVD Australia Province.

Fr Truc has been Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Parish in Emerald and its surrounding communities for six years, with his farewell Masses across the vast rural district having seen him drive a total of 900km.