The SVD Marsfield community celebrated the 150^th anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word recently, in conjunction with the annual Multicultural Sunday event, highlighting one of the most foundational of SVD characteristics – interculturality.

Following weeks of rain in Sydney, the skies cleared for a day of shared prayer, cultural entertainment and a mouthwatering shared multicultural meal.

Mission Secretary, Fr Viet Nguyen SVD, said about 500 people attended across the day, making it the biggest Multicultural Sunday event since its inception in 2013.

“It was a wonderful day,” Fr Viet said.

“God blessed us with beautiful weather after all the rain and it was wonderful to see so many people come.”

The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist outside the St Arnold Janssen Chapel, which was followed by the multicultural entertainment.

Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD and Pia Tenedero co-hosted the day’s entertainment, which featured cultural singing and dancing from 10 community groups including: Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Slovak, the Genesis Bible Group, Filipino, Ghanian, the Dorish Maru College SVD students, and the St Arnold Janssen Chapel Community.

Following the vibrant displays of song and dance, there was the multicultural feast, provided by the various cultural groups.

“We then marked the 150 Years SVD Jubilee with a special cake and thanksgiving for this Missionary Society begun by St Arnold Janssen in 1875, and also for the people of many cultures and countries who are our partners in mission,” Fr Viet said.

He said the day was a wonderful celebration of the interculturality which is so much a part of the SVD life and charism.

“It was a great day because it allowed everyone to mingle together, to come to understand each other and to enjoy the differences in cultures and performances,” he said.

“This is very important, because sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to get to know one another across different cultures and to make friends.

“Beginning with the shared Eucharist, the day highlighted the unity that exists in Christ across the cultural groups.

“The message is that we are all from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds, but we are one in God’s family.”

Fr Viet said the Multicultural Sunday celebration was also open to the SVD’s non-Catholic friends and he was delighted to see many new faces attending with their families.

“Having been involved with establishing the Multicultural Sunday celebration back in 2013, and seeing how it’s grown from a very small event to a much bigger event with more groups involved, it was a personal joy for me to see so many people coming together to enjoy the day,” he said.

“The fact that so many people attended shows that they appreciate what we’re doing and want to be a part of it.

“Some even told me they are already looking forward to our next big event, the Carols celebration at Christmas.”

Fr Viet said the SVD was grateful to all those who donated towards the holding of the Multicultural Sunday event, ensuring the SVD did not have to meet the costs of the day. He also thanked those who gave donations on the day to the SVD Mission Office.

See Gallery below for more photos from Multicultural Sunday.