Volume 35 No. 1 | Autumn 2025 2 Society Matters Message from the Provincial Superior Dear Friends, I am delighted to be here sharing my first Provincial’s Message for Society Matters magazine since my appointment took effect on January 1. Having spent the last several years as parish priest of St Mark’s Parish, Inala, in Brisbane, and before that, being assigned to formation ministry at Dorish Maru College in Melbourne, I am aware that my first task in these early days as Provincial, is to listen and learn as I make my way around the Province. I am looking forward to working together as a team with the Provincial Council, the members of the Province, the communities that they serve, lay collaborators and friends. Society Matters has a long and proud tradition in the SVD Australia Province as a point of connection between our benefactors and partners in mission and the many wonderful overseas aid projects which are supported through their generosity. The stories in Society Matters help put human faces to the missionary work being undertaken by the Society of the Divine Word all around the world. Whether it be women’s empowerment projects in India or education for youth in African villages, AIDS education, support for the elderly or those with disability, the SVD is hard at work to lift up those in need and help communities build a better future. We are so grateful for your continued support, whether it be for those overseas aid projects, which are tax-deductible, or for our pastoral missionary work (not tax deductible). As I take up my duties as Provincial, I wish to extend to you my personal thanks for your generosity. I ask for your prayers as I begin this new journey and please be assured that I am praying for you too. Yours in the Word, Fr Boni Buahendri SVD Provincial Superior Cover Story: The SVD in Vietnam and the Philippines have been helping people who had their homes and livelihoods damaged by typhoons late last year to recover and move forward, thanks in part to donations from a special appeal established by the Mission Office of the SVD Australia Province. Read more on Pages 6-7. Appeal Office: 199 Epping Road, Marsfield NSW Locked Bag 3, Epping NSW 1710 Australia Telephone: +61 2 9868 2666 Victoria: 100 Albion Road, Box Hill, Vic 3128 Tel: +61 3 9890 0065 Queensland: 96 Lilac Street Inala QLD 4077 Tel: +61 7 3372 5658 New Zealand: 41 Britannia Street, Petone, 5046 Tel: +64 4 971 7885 Published by Divine Word Missionaries Incorporated, ABN 51 885 667 646 Volume 36 No. 1 | Autumn 2026
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