SVD Mission Day inspires all to be 'Witnesses to the Light'
The annual SVD Mission Day hosted by Dorish Maru College in Melbourne has been hailed an inspiration, with guest speakers calling on the faithful to live out their baptismal calling in a prophetic way in the spirit of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
Almost 300 people attended the day which was comprised of a seminar, the celebration of the Eucharist and a shared multicultural meal.
Anniversary celebrations give thanks for 25 years of SVD ministry in Thailand
The SVD has celebrated 25 years of presence in Thailand – a mission which began with just two SVD brothers responding to the need of the people and which has grown to include 12 confreres working in HIV/AIDS care, parish ministry, education and more.
The Silver Jubilee celebrations incorporated the Feast of St Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of the parish in Nong Bua Lamphu, as well as the opening of the 150th anniversary year of the Society of the Divine Word.
Bishop Tim looking forward to getting to know people, cultures and languages of Broome Diocese
The appointment of Bishop Tim Norton SVD as Bishop of Broome has been met with joy by the local Church, the national Catholic Indigenous community, and the Divine Word Missionaries.
Bishop Tim, who has been serving as Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane for almost three years, is a former SVD Australia Provincial and has a deep interest in mission, culture and interculturality.
'Go out and invite everyone to the banquet'
Every October the Universal Church celebrates World Mission Month, a time to highlight the work of missionaries around the world, but also to remind us of the baptismal call to mission of each and every Christian.
This year, Pope Francis chose as the theme of his World Mission Sunday Message: ‘Go and invite everyone to the banquet’ (Mt 22:9).
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Tim Norton SVD as Bishop of Broome
Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane, the Most Reverend Timothy Norton SVD, to be the third Bishop of Broome.
Bishop Norton was born in Sydney in 1958 and initially trained as a physiotherapist, working in inner-city Darlinghurst with young people who were experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health issues. He entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1984 and took his first vows in 1986.
Message of the Superior-General for the opening of the Jubilee Year of the 150th anniversary of the SVD
We have reached the threshold of the jubilee of the founding of our beloved Society of the Divine Word. It has been 150 years of life and mission, bringing together men from all parts of the world and sending them to all people. The Holy Spirit has been supporting this work that was entrusted to Saint Arnold Janssen, and also to those who preceded us in the mission, and to us, in the present moment.
A Jubilee is a milestone to evaluate, celebrate and make a commitment for the future. In biblical terms, we can speak of three essential aspects of this year that guarantee a just and balanced society: forgiveness, restoration and the restitution of dignity. In other words, the year of jubilee must recreate relationships that have become unjust and unequal.
Fr Cuong Dang SVD is ordained a priest and assigned to Angola
Fr Cuong Quoc Dang SVD will soon take up his first missionary assignment in Angola following his ordination to the priesthood in Melbourne this month.
Cuong’s journey to a religious vocation began in his home country of Vietnam and continued in Thailand, where he first met the SVD, before coming to Australia to complete his studies and formation
Events offer the chance to focus on mission, synodality and sharing the Gospel
With the SVD’s Sesquicentenary Year now underway, we are looking forward to a raft of events and celebrations around our Province in the leadup to the 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the Society of the Divine Word on September 8, 2025.
Among these is the annual SVD Mission Day in Melbourne, to be hosted by Dorish Maru College and held on October 12. The Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph, Sr Monica Cavanagh RSJ will be the principal speaker, with systematic theologian and experienced pastoral associate, Dr Cecilia Francisco-Tan the respondent. All are welcome.
Parish Corner - Sacred Heart Preston on the journey towards being a missionary parish
When Fr Aloysius Nato SVD first arrived in Melbourne in July 2010, he spotted a beautiful church from his car window and was told it was Sacred Heart Preston, an SVD parish. Ten years later, he was appointed to serve in that parish – only it was during the Covid lockdown period and there were no parishioners in the pews.
Four years down the track, the parish has returned to full life again and is putting in place action plans to realise its ambition of becoming a vibrant faith community and a missionary parish.
Divine Word Missionaries inaugurate 150th anniversary year celebrations
The Divine Word Missionaries Australia Province launched the Jubilee Year for the 150th anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word this month, the first of many Sesquicentenary events to be held throughout the year.
The occasion in Melbourne was a double celebration, also featuring the priestly ordination of Cuong Quoc Dang SVD, who will continue the missionary legacy when he takes up his first assignment to Angola.