7 Volume 36 No. 2 | Winter 2026 Society Matters “I have seen that Catholicism here pivots around the rich mission history of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and statutes of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,” he said. “Notable among those are Francis Xavier Gsell MSC, who became the Bishop of Darwin in 1938 and Sr Anne Gardiner FDNSC, now aged in her mid-90s, who is accorded with the title of ‘Puwanikimawu’, meaning ‘a person who provides light to the people’ by the indigenous people of Bathurst Island, for her decades of life and service on this land, which continue today.” Fr Shiju said that Bishop Gsell (Patakijiyali) devoted the first 10 years on the islands to observing the people and learning their ways, while Sr Anne says it took her more than five years before she and the Tiwi people understood each other. “And I am here, just two months now on this remote island without any language and culture preparations, which might sound very unusual for SVDs,” he said. “I am observing and learning. “What must I be here? I grapple with this inner question 24x7. “Sr Anne encourages me often when I share with her. ‘Love them, talk to them, be a friend to them,’ she says. “Love them. That is the real deal. Fr Greg Boyle SJ, whom I met many years ago, says, ‘Love is God’s religion and loving is how we practice it. “The Tiwi mob reassures me, ‘ngawa wiyi ngimpinganuwani nuwa’, ‘We will help you’. And I say, ‘nuwa nguri’, ‘Thank you’. “God’s mission continues!” The Divine Word Missionaries took up the pastoral care of the Tiwi Islands in 2022 at the invitation of Darwin Bishop Charles Gauci. Fr Shiju succeeds Fr Niran Veigas SVD who has been assigned as Arrernte Catholic Chaplain in Alice Springs. Assisting Fr Shiju are Fr Hung Nguyen SVD and Fr Jun Perez SVD. Mission Mass League - let us pray for you and your family We invite our faithful mission partners to participate in the Mission Mass League by enrolling their loved ones, living or deceased, and their special needs. “Enrolment in the League is a spiritual gift,” says outgoing SVD AUS Province Mission Secretary, Fr Viet Nguyen SVD. It expresses the donor’s thoughtfulness or their condolences. Enrolments are appropriate in illness or for a death. Enrolments may also be sent to Divine Word Missionaries in recognition of birthdays and anniversaries or other notable occasions. “In that way they are linked spiritually to the masses and prayers of more than 6,000 Divine Word priests, brothers and seminarians around the world, ensuring that your special intentions will be remembered.” Five masses in seven different countries are expressly celebrated each day for Mission Mass League members. The donor receives a special membership certificate. Membership enrolments are available in four categories: One year or Perpetual for Individuals and One year or Perpetual for Families. Fr Shiju (right) celebrates Mass in the Tiwi Islands with Fr Jun Perez SVD. Supporting the SVD If you wish to support the missionary work of the Society of the Divine Word, we would welcome your donations. Simply scan the QR code below and it will take you directly to our secure online donations page. Or, visit divineword.org.au and select ‘Support Us’ at the top of the page, followed by ‘Make a Donation’. Donations to the SVD AUS Province Overseas Aid Fund can also be made by mailing to the address at the bottom of page 8. SCAN TO DONATE
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