Volume 33 No. 1 | Autumn 2023 2 Society Matters Message from the Provincial Superior Dear Friends, Welcome to the first edition of Society Matters for 2023. In his Message for the World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1, Pope Francis called for us to “journey together, valuing the lessons that history has to teach us”. He noted that while the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic is passing, its effects, for so many people around the world, are not. Many of the poorest in our world remain hardest hit by the disruption to their fragile economic systems, as well as ongoing healthcare challenges, education and so forth. In this edition of Society Matters you’ll read about how the Divine Word Missionaries in Zambia are helping provide basic necessities to some of the most vulnerable members of their community – the elderly. These older people, who are often reliant on younger families for survival, have been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic. Not able to rely on the help of their family, many are facing hunger. The SVD is helping provide them with some of the staples of life. In his New Year message, Pope Francis said we are facing the effects of twin crises – the effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Our response must be personal, he said. “We must let our hearts be changed by our experience of the crisis,” he said in his message. “We can no longer think exclusively of carving out space for our personal or national interests, ... instead we must think in terms of the common good.” And he called on all those in positions of responsibility and on all men and women of goodwill to “promote actions that enhance peace and put an end to the conflicts and wars that continue to spawn poverty and death”; “to join in caring for our common home and in implementing clear and effective measures to combat climate change”; “to battle the virus of inequality and to ensure food and dignified labour for all, supporting those who lack even a minimum wage and find themselves in great difficulty.” As we move forward into 2023, these seem like good aims to keep in mind. We give thanks for the SVD missionaries in Zambia and in so many other parts of the world who are giving practical effect to these ambitions by reaching out in love and mercy to the people in their local community. We give thanks also to you, our valued partners in mission, who help support such important initiatives. Yours in the Word, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD Provincial Superior Cover Story: The SVD in Zambia are helping to support both families and the elderly who have suffered under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are facing hunger. Read more on pages 4-5. Appeal Office: 199 Epping Road, Marsfield NSW Locked Bag 3, Epping NSW 1710 Australia Telephone: +61 2 9868 2666 Victoria: 100 Albion Road, Box Hill, Vic 3128 Tel: +61 3 9890 0065 Queensland: 96 Lilac Street Inala QLD 4077 Tel: +61 7 3372 5658 New Zealand: 41 Britannia Street, Petone, 5046 Tel: +64 4 971 7885 Published by Divine Word Missionaries Incorporated, ABN 51 885 667 646
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