Divine Stories
Fr. Adam MacDonald, SVD (left) and a crew of volunteers help repair a local home in Gassaway, West Virginia.
There are two questions that donors never tire of asking charities such as ours. How did you use my donation? Did it make a difference in anyone’s life? We are posting these stories to answer these questions. We think you will like them. They are short and personal. The settings range from the South Side of Chicago to the “hollers” of West Virginia to the poor neighborhoods of Kingston, Jamaica. In every case, your generous support enabled our missionaries to touch the lives of people with the love of God. Thank you!
A Missionary's Devotion to Papua New Guinea
Retired SVD missionary, Father Bill Halvey, arrived in Papua New Guinea in 1961 and served there for 26 years. Read about the community he served.
Parish Language Program Helps a Man Discover He Is Being Cheated at Work
This story is about three people: a teacher, a student, and a pastor who is an SVD missionary. It is set at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community in Lakewood, New Jersey, which has one of the largest Hispanic communities in the Diocese of Trenton.
Bringing the Love of God to Trauma Victims
Many of our missionaries are privileged to work alongside some extraordinarily talented members of the parish staff. One such missionary is Fr. Bob Kelly, SVD, who serves as the pastor of Our Lady of Africa Parish in Chicago. He works closely with staff member, Ladell Johnson, whose gifts for serving others in challenging and painful circumstances are seemingly limitless.
A Mother’s Grief Finds Peace
Very few of us have to cope with the challenge of living in a neighborhood with a high crime rate. Beyond that, very few of us will ever have to cope with the loss of a child. Genoria had to cope with both. When her daughter was killed in the crossfire between two gangs, our SVD priests came to her aid. Read more about her story and how your support helped.
Abandoning Our Plans for God's Plans
Fr. Thierry Koula, SVD completed his formation program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, was ordained in 2016, and is now serving in Chad in Central Africa.
Our Response to COVID-19 in West Virginia
The food pantry at Risen Lord Church in Maysel, Clay County, West Virginia is just one example of how we are responding. It used to provide food for 105 children a week through its backpack program at an elementary school in Clay County. When the local schools closed at the beginning of the pandemic, it served 1,167 students during the first week.
A Story of Hope and Change
Our missionaries often work with those who are economically disadvantaged. All too often, regular employment is a challenge. For that reason, many missionaries have become adept at partnering with organizations who are equipped to provide job training. Fr. Bob Kelly, SVD at the former St. Elizabeth Church, now part of Our Lady of Africa, on the South Side of Chicago, is one such example.
A Story from Cross-cultural Training
One Saturday afternoon after Mass practice with the altar boys and girls, Seminarian Khanh Ha noticed that the children were not leaving to return home. When he asked why, the answer was disturbing.
Life in Bahia Negra, Paraguay Is Not Easy
From poisonous spiders and snakes to arid spring-to-fall heat to crushing poverty made worse by a corrupt government, life is not easy for the people of Bahia Negra, Paraguay nor for the Divine Word Missionaries who share in their existence.
Bringing Peace Through Prayer
When he saw a young man angry and seeking revenge after his brother was killed by rival gang members in front of his house, Brother Bernie knew he wanted to offer peace to this man and his family.
