The collaboration between the Holy Spirit Sisters and the Divine Word Missionaries is mirrored in the spirit of the Founding Generation. It started in the early days when both mission congregations were founded, writes Sr Sesilia Dominika Ria SSpS, in this SVD 150th Jubilee Year reflection.

The Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) and the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (SSpS) in Australia collaborate in bonding the dream of being missionaries in a way St Arnold Janssen had envisaged it. From the early days up to this present moment their joint collaboration has flourished through decades of mutual support, intercultural ministries with indigenous people and people on the margins of society – our shared vision in the mission of this Southern Land of the Holy Spirit.

The Australian Province of the Society of the Divine Word has celebrated the feast days of the two SVD saints, St Arnold Janssen and St Joseph Freinademetz, with special Masses and social gatherings of confreres, SSpS Sisters, parishioners, lay partners and partners in mission.

St Arnold founded the Society of the Divine Word in September 1875. He later went on to found two orders of Religious Women, the Servant Sisters of the Holy Spirit and the Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration.

The Divine Word Missionaries this month celebrated 125 years in Papua New Guinea with a range of celebrations, giving thanks to God for all the blessings bestowed on the mission, the people, and the missionaries themselves.

SVD Superior-General, Fr Paul Budi Kleden, was special guest at the celebrations, having made it all the way from Rome, despite the COVID-related difficulties in international travel.

Fr Larry Nemer SVD, who died in Sydney last month, has been remembered as an accomplished scholar and theologian, a dedicated teacher, much-loved family member and a happy priest for more than 60 years.

Fr Larry was born and raised in Chicago and grew up in “a very Polish Catholic neighbourhood”, attending the local Polish Catholic Grammar School.