The Australian Province of the Divine Word Missionaries has an extra spring in its step this month, following the participation of many of our confreres and lay collaborators in the “Mission: One Heart Many Voices” conference.

The amazing grace of mission is that it involves participating in the work of the Trinity, making us partners in mission with God, visiting missiologist, Professor Stephen Bevans SVD has told a mission conference in Sydney.

If you’re a night owl in Melbourne, looking for some inspirational late night TV this week, why not tune in to Channel 31 or 44 at 11.30pm on Wednesday, to see Fr Stephen Pilly SVD being interviewed about his missionary vocation on the Spirit of Life program?

Parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish, Preston are gearing up to be inspired and uplifted when “The Catholic Guy” comes to lead them in a parish mission.
Bruce Downs and the Catholic Guy Team will present the mission from May 15 to 21.
Bruce and the Team, who host a weekly TV program on the Christian Channel, invite people to “experience the power of God in a real and relevant way through Scripture, music, and the arts”.

Melbourne's Yarra Theological Union is one of Australia's  great ecumenical and learning endeavours, reaching out to all in a spirit of service and hospitality. Its hospitality includes offering courses on other religions and understanding of the religious traditions of Australia. This year YTU celebrates 40 years since it was established. Fr Jacob Kavunkal SVD reflects on its important place in our society.

As a chaplain at Sydney’s busy Westmead Hospital, Fr Sunil Nagothu SVD is no stranger to pain, suffering, fear and anxiety. But amidst all the turmoil, he says there is also a good measure of joy and the ‘honour and privilege’ of being with people at the most vulnerable time in their life, bringing them comfort and sometimes even helping them find a path home to God.

The Divine Word Missionaries have farewelled the group of young asylum seekers who had been living at the Janssen Spirituality Centre in Boronia, after the federal government chose not to renew the contract for their care.

Director of the JSC, Fr Nick de Groot says the government’s decision not to renew the contract, and to remove the young men was a shock.

Missionaries or volunteers who may experience a kind of ‘reverse culture shock’ when they return home from an extended period in a foreign country will have extra support, with the establishment of a new network called Trans-Mission.

Sr Geraldine Kearney SGS, who is a consultant in areas of cross-cultural communication, counselling, education and facilitation will facilitate the network with Mission Secretary of the Divine Word Missionaries in Australia, Fr Henry Adler SVD. 

This month, as you read your edition of “In the Word”, we at the Divine Word Missionaries are preparing to take part in one of the biggest Mission events in Australia in recent years.

The “Mission: One Heart, Many Voices” conference will bring together up to 400 people, from across the Church community and beyond, to explore the reality of Mission in the world today and its implications for those us working to build the reign of God.

From Central Australia, to Thailand and New Zealand, the Divine Word Missionaries of the Australian Province are preparing to celebrate Holy Week and Easter in a variety of places and cultures, and everyone is invited to join them.