Is religious life dying or is it simply changing? I pondered this question again recently as I presided at the final vows of two of our young missionaries who are giving themselves freely and joyfully to a life which, let’s face it, is slightly out of vogue.

I believe it’s changing, rather than dying, and while change is always uncomfortable and challenging, it usually leads us to new growth and, in this case, I believe, to greater authenticity.

Fr Joseph Reddy SVD was so moved by his pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Panama that he was inspired to capture his experience in poetry and we are proud to feature Fr Joseph's poem in this edition 'In the Word'.

Fr Joseph's pilgrim group from the Diocese of Wollongong, spent time in Peru before arriving in Panama for the World Youth Day event with Pope Francis and young people from across the world, all exploring the theme of Mary's big 'Yes' to God when she said, “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)

In this day and age we may well ask what meaning and relevance such a season of the year could have for us. When I was young it was about “giving up something” like chocolates or biscuits.

Now, for me, it means more about being aware of certain attitudes and behaviours that need healing.

The Divine Word Missionaries are relaunching their Dei Verbum Biblical Course for those engaged in Biblical ministry, and three missionaries from the AUS Province will be among those taking part in the program to be held in Nemi, Italy, later this year.

Province Biblical Coordinator, Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD, will be accompanied by Fr Mariusz Kubista SVD and Fr Tuyen Nguyen SVD who have recently taken up their assignments in the new Myanmar mission, where their work is focused on Bible ministry.

As the headlines continue to swirl around the Catholic Church in Australia it is a distressing time for both victims of abuse and also for regular Catholics who have been rocked by one scandal after another for years.

We often hear the phrase that these years of crisis and shame have led to a “humbler” Church and lately I’ve been wondering what that humbler Church might look like in practice.

Lunar New Year is a time of celebration for many across Asia and the Divine Word Missionaries in Bangkok helped Vietnamese migrant workers in Thailand to mark the occasion with prayer and fellowship.

Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD says there are tens of thousands of Vietnamese migrant workers in Thailand, but many of them return to Vietnam to celebrate Lunar New Year because it is close and easy to do so.

Among the new missionary students to arrive in Australia for the start of the academic year are two young men from Mexico.

Neftali Velasco Fabian and Ruben Aguirre have travelled across the world to continue their SVD formation and academic studies with the AUS Province at Dorish Maru College in Melbourne.

As I write this reflection, we are in the early days of the new year. So I would not be far off to assume that many of us are in the middle of carrying out our new year resolutions—that is, if we chose to make them. The occasion of a brand new year has always been a popular and suitable opportunity to make some changes in our lives for the better—perhaps putting more effort and commitment into work, relationships, or personal projects than what was seen from us in the past. 

As a priest who listens to confession on a weekly basis, I am keen around this time of year to incorporate the notion of new year resolutions into the little advice that I give to those who come to me in the sacrament of reconciliation.

The SVD AUS Province has begun the work involved in joining the National Redress Scheme to support survivors of abuse by Church personnel, as part of its ongoing commitment to professional standards and safeguarding.

Fr Michael Hardie SVD, the Professional Standards Coordinator for the Province, has moved from Melbourne to the Provincial administrative centre in Marsfield, Sydney to take carriage of the work.

The SVD AUS Province is heading into a year of transition in 2019 with the election of the new Provincial and Provincial Council.

Fr Henry Adler SVD has served his two terms as Provincial and the process will soon get underway to elect his successor.