Sydney Ministries - Lakemba

Lakemba is a multicultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious suburb in Sydney 's south-west. Many languages can be heard on its streets, Arabic being the most predominant. Living here is Australia 's largest Muslim community, which is served by several mosques, the largest being headquarters of the present Grand Mufti of Australia.  A short walking distance away from these mosques is a rented house which has been home to small communities of Divine Word Missionaries for the past six years.
 
Confreres living in Lakemba have opportunities to engage in interfaith dialogue at both the grass-roots level with neighbours, and with leaders of religious communities, particularly Muslims, whose organisations are based here. The diversity of Lakemba is a great learning experience in itself. The local Catholic clergy are welcoming. The Catholic parish of St. Therese, close by our house, is multicultural as are all neighbouring parishes. Confreres are called-on for supply work, giving them an opportunity to promote interfaith dialogue amongst fellow Christians.
 
The Lakemba house is a base for confreres who work elsewhere. It is a regular home. an alternative to institutional religious living, where confreres can keep in touch with ordinary Australians, just by living there. It can be a good place for non-Australian confreres to learn about life in suburban, multicultural Australia.