For Indonesia’s Laurensius Woda, being a part of the Divine Word Missionaries’ Overseas Training Program in New Zealand and Australia has helped him find the real meaning of being a religious missionary.
The Overseas/Cross-Cultural Training Program (OTP) gives missionary students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new language, experience a new culture and engage in supervised ministry.
The program, which operates in various countries around the world, has grown in recent decades to become an important element of missionary formation.
“I am most thankful to be part of this program,” says Laurensius. “It has been a privileged opportunity to do this.
“Ever since I first arrived in New Zealand in 2011 and then came to Australia, to Mary Mother of the Church parish in Macquarie Fields, I have been on a long journey which has helped me to find the real meaning of being a religious missionary.
“I’ve learnt how to become involved with the youth, the frail elderly, the choir and other ministry activities. It has enabled me to share my passion to work with people from different backgrounds.”
Laurensius says his most enjoyable times have been in talking with people who are too sick to go to Church, and in so doing, sharing God’s love with people who are most in need.
“I have also learnt many things from the young people, shared their expectations and understood their perspectives as to how they see the Catholic Church today and encouraged them to become involved in parish ministries,” he says.
“These two years as an OTP seminarian have given me the following : strong commitment and willingness to work faithfully with the people and give myself totally for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
“The OTP program has truly given me strength to dig deeper into the real meaning of walking in this special way.”
Australia currently has four OTP students, from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan. Another, from Indonesia, has recently returned home after two years studying English in New Zealand and then spending a year in ministry at the Central Australian indigenous community of Santa Teresa.
Later this year, the Australian Province will welcome three more OTP students, from Mexico, the USA and Argentina, while one student from Kenya and one from Brazil have made inquiries about coming to the AUS Province for OTP in 2014.
Provincial Superior, Fr Tim Norton SVD, says the concept of the OTP was originally introduced into the life of the SVD by Australian seminarians undertaking pastoral programs in Papua New Guinea.
“SVD students undertaking the OTP in the AUS Province gain a wide variety of ministerial skills in a semi-supervised environment,” Fr Tim says. “Commitment and initiative are emphasised while strong working relationships with lay-partners are encouraged.
“Our confreres who have OTPs in ministry with them enjoy the support of willing partners in mission who become integral members of their local communities, bringing with them a strong desire to connect theology and ministry. When done well, the OTP benefits all those involved".