The SVD is taking up a new missionary assignment in Townsville Diocese, with a particular focus on indigenous ministry, including on Palm Island.

Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD, says the move comes at the request of Townsville Bishop Timothy Harris.

The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters have elected and installed a new Provincial and leadership team for their Australia Province.

Sr Shalini Philomina Mathew SSpS (Sr Philo), who had most recently been pastoral associate at St Mark’s Parish, Inala, has taken on the leadership role, following the completion of Sr Sarita Kurikattil’s term as Provincial.

The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Australia celebrated their big feast day of Pentecost with music, dancing and communion with others, including refugees and asylum seekers.

The Sisters, who were founded by St Arnold Janssen, along with the Divine Word Missionaries and another order of women religious, the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, had Pentecost celebrations in Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville and Brisbane.

Holy Spirit Sisters (SSpS) of the Australian Province gathered together recently for their Provincial Assembly and Chapter meeting with the focus on discerning God’s Dreams for the Province.

“The theme of our Assembly and Chapter was ‘Recognising God’s Dream for our Province in our Present Reality’,” says Sr Sarita.

The SVD Marsfield community recently celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of their friend and Arnoldus family member, Sr Josapha Lergessner SSpS.

Sr Josapha, together with SSpS sisters and friends, joined the SVD Marsfield community for a special Mass and dinner to mark the milestone of 60 years since she took her first vows as a Holy Spirit Missionary Sister.