The Society of the Divine Word’s community in Marsfield, Sydney, celebrated the 150th anniversary of the order’s founding in conjunction with its annual Multicultural Sunday event, highlighting one of the most foundational of Divine Word characteristics – interculturality. Source: In The Word.
Mission Secretary Fr Viet Nguyen SVD said about 500 people attended the August 24 day of shared prayer, cultural entertainment and food, making it the biggest Multicultural Sunday event since its inception in 2013.
The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist outside the St Arnold Janssen Chapel, which was followed by the multicultural entertainment.
Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD and Pia Tenedero co-hosted the day’s entertainment, which featured cultural singing and dancing from 10 community groups including: Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Slovak, the Genesis Bible Group, Filipino, Ghanian, the SVD Dorish Maru College students and the St Arnold Janssen Chapel Community.
Following the vibrant displays of song and dance, there was the multicultural feast, provided by the various cultural groups.
“We then marked the 150 Years SVD Jubilee with a special cake and thanksgiving for this Missionary Society begun by St Arnold Janssen in 1875, and also for the people of many cultures and countries who are our partners in mission,” Fr Nguyen said.
He said the day was a wonderful celebration of the interculturality which is so much a part of the SVD life and charism.
“It was a great day because it allowed everyone to mingle together, to come to understand each other and to enjoy the differences in cultures and performances,” he said.
“This is very important, because sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to get to know one another across different cultures and to make friends.
“Beginning with the shared Eucharist, the day highlighted the unity that exists in Christ across the cultural groups.
“The message is that we are all from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds, but we are one in God’s family.”
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Vibrant celebration of cultures also marks SVD 150th Anniversary (In the Word)
