Dear Friends,

As Advent draws us onward towards the coming of Jesus at Christmas, I take this opportunity to wish everyone the hope and much-needed peace of the season.

And, as this will be my last message as Provincial, I also wish to thank everyone who journeyed with me and supported the Divine Word Missionaries over the last six years. I have been reminded again and again that we never walk alone when we walk in faith.

As I gradually complete my six-year term as Provincial, my heart is filled with a mixture of gratitude, relief, humility, and—if I’m honest—a touch of wonder that we all made it through together.

These past six years have brought both ups and downs, but I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve this Province—a Province whose members are scattered across four countries yet united in one spirit, one mission, and one charism.

So much has been accomplished in these years: pastoral initiatives, structural developments, renewed ministries, intercultural and intercontinental collaborations, and the quiet, everyday faithfulness that never makes headlines but builds the Kingdom of God. And of course, the work is far from finished. As missionaries, our “projects” never end—thank God! Mission is always unfolding, always calling us forward.

I am thankful for the spirit of collaboration, teamwork, and synodality that has carried us through these years. St Arnold Janssen reminds us, “The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of mission”. If that is true—and I believe it with all my heart—then our task is to keep listening together, discerning together, walking together.

In that light, I wish to thank the SVD’s benefactors, friends and lay mission partners for their support, prayers and kindness. Mission is a community effort. My heart is filled with deep, deep gratitude for their unwavering generosity over many years and their support of God’s mission through us, the Society of the Divine Word. They too share in the vision God has entrusted to the SVD.

I have also been greatly encouraged over these past six years by participation in the work of Catholic Religious Australia, the Plenary Council of Australia, and the Synod on Synodality in Rome, all of which have helped me to contribute meaningfully to wider conversations and collaborative ministries. These relationships have strengthened my sense of mission by encouraging synodal pathways forward and renewing my commitment to a more compassionate, listening and humble Church. I am grateful too, for the relationships developed with bishops in the four countries of our Province, especially in those dioceses where we have been invited to serve.

My deep gratitude goes as well to the outgoing Provincial Councillors who have walked with me:  Fr Albano Da Costa SVD, Vice-Provincial; Fr Michael Hardie SVD, Admonitor; Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD and Fr Boni Buahendri.

Going forward, I pray that all will offer their full support, prayer, and cooperation to Fr Boni Buahendri SVD, our newly elected Provincial, who will officially take up his new duties on January 1, and to his new Provincial Council. May God bless them and guide them in their work.

As I conclude this chapter and go home for a post-provincial sabbatical, please know of my prayers and my continued love for our shared mission. May the Divine Word, who became flesh and lived among us, continue to guide us with wisdom, courage, humour, and hope.

Yours in the Word,

Fr Asaeli Rass SVD,

Provincial.