Present and Future

At present there are 68 professed members in the Australia Province (AUS) which incorporates Thailand , New Zealand and Australia . Our brothers, priests, junior brothers and seminarians hail from 19 different countries and are involved in a variety of ministries.

In Box Hill, Melbourne , a number of our men are actively involved in the teaching of scripture and missiology at the Yarra Theological Institute. We regard their ministry as an integral part of the theological preparation of people for ministry in the local (and international) church. Our teachers live on site at YTU in a purpose built house that is also home for our junior brothers and seminarians, and the SVD formation staff who work with them. Our students attend YTU and other local institutes that assist them in their preparation for a life of full time ministry. A significant number of our students undertake post-graduate studies before being assigned to their mission appointment. Formation ministry and teaching are regarded as primary features of our ministry in AUS.

In Boronia , Melbourne, we are in a process of discernment around the development of a Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue. We have visited various Retreat Houses in the area and are assessing the need to cater to an ever-growing demand to understand and experience God in a variety of religious traditions. This is new and exciting ministry and Australia offers a peaceful environment in which these interests can be explored.

Over the last six years we have fostered a commitment to ministry with indigenous people in Central Australia . This is part of the growing edge of ministry that increasingly identifies us as SVD in AUS. We work in the parish of Santa Teresa, about 80kms south east of Alice Springs as well as in and around Alice Springs itself. Up until now, we have been assisting the MSCs as well as other religious and lay people in Central Australia . Recently the Bishop of Darwin asked us to take up leadership in the Sacred Heart parish in the Alice . An SVD parish priest will be installed in June. We look forward to the challenges that this opportunity brings us.

In Hamilton, Brisbane we are in the process of entering into a partnership with the Archdiocese and the Holy Spirit Homes Aged Care Services. Our plan is to build a community of dwellings for older Australians. We need to constantly discern how we are called to mission within such a venture. With this in mind we are considering the development of a Nursing Home that would cater to the needs of some young people who, because of serious brain injury, are forced to live in Institutions that are organized mostly to cater to older people. We also hope to develop services in the area of palliative care.

In New Zealand we are ministering in the Wellington Diocese. This Diocese is in the process of putting into practice an exciting plan that encourages and forms lay leaders for various ministries in the Church. It is important that we, as SVD, are ministering and learning in an environment that assists us to collaborate with out partners in mission.

Over the last seven years, our Mission in Thailand has principally revolved around education ministry and working with individuals and families living with the AIDS virus. These ministries are constantly evolving in a Buddhist environment in the north east of the country. Two new confreres were recently assigned to the Thailand Region and they have just begun the long process of learning language and culture. As they become more familiar with Thailand and its people, we will continue to discern with them the directions that our mission needs to take.

We have a stimulating present in AUS and a bright and interesting future. The ongoing discernment of our Mission in AUS is crucial for us as we pray, grow and learn together. We trust that the Spirit is present with us on our journey into Mission .