After being ordained a deacon in Melbourne in March, Duc Le SVD eagerly arrived at Mary, Mother of the Church parish in Macquarie Fields for his pastoral placement in June, only to find that a few days after his arrival Sydney was plunged into COVID lockdown and the churches were closed.

A short time later, while Duc was undertaking a retreat at the SVD Provincial Centre in Marsfield, the restrictions were tightened and residents of greater Sydney were prevented from travelling more than 10km. Duc has been at Marsfield ever since, and says his diaconate, while unusual, has still been fruitful.

It was a joyful occasion for the Divine Word Missionaries last Saturday when three young men were ordained to the priesthood.

Adrianus Yohanes (John) Mai SVD, Clement Baffoe SVD, and Yosef Meda SVD were ordained in Melbourne by Auxiliary Bishop Terrence Curtin in front of a small congregation, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, but an international audience, thanks to the event being live-streamed back home to their families.

It was a full, joyous house at St Paschal’s Chapel, Box Hill earlier this month as two young Divine Word Missionaries, who have undertaken their formation in Australia, were ordained to the priesthood.

Toub Anisong Chanthavong, who is the first person from Laos to join the SVD, and Simon Dominguez Prospero from Mexico, were ordained by Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli and will now take up their first missionary assignments in the AUS Province and Central European Province respectively.

It’s been a season of celebration for the Divine Word Missionaries AUS Province recently, with a number of jubilees, including the significant milestone of 60 years a priest for Fathers Frank Gerry and Ennio Mantovani.

Fr Frank and Fr Ennio marked their Diamond Jubilees with special Masses and social celebrations, giving thanks to God for their priestly vocation.

Five young Divine Word Missionaries, who have undertaken their formation in the AUS Province, were ordained for the priesthood or diaconate recently, and are now preparing to be sent out on their first mission assignments.

Marianus Supardi and Uili Uvea were ordained as priests, during the Mass at St Paschal’s Chapel, Box Hill, while Michael Wu Pengfei, Anthony Li and Laurensius Woda were ordained as deacons.