The Society of the Divine Savior, known as the Salvatorians, have celebrated two major milestones at Pymble on Sunday: 25 years of ministry at Pymble and 65 years of ministry in Australia.
Bishop David Walker, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Broken Bay, who first invited the Salvatorians to Broken Bay, was the main celebrant of the anniversary Mass. He was joined by Fr Greg Skulski SDS, Superior of the Salvatorians in Australia and former parish priest of Gosford was present for the Mass, along with Fr David Ranson, Vicar General of the Diocese of Broken Bay, and Fr Ireneusz Czech SDS, Parish Priest of Pymble.
Fr Ireneusz delivered a reflection on the night, paying tribute to the parish and the Salvatorian Order.
“We gather today in gratitude to God not only for the Salvatorians’ presence in Pymble for the last 25 years and for the 65 years of the Society’s ministry in Australia but to reflect upon the rich history of our Sacred Heart Parish,” he said.
“We are here to give thanks to the Saviour for the many people whose faith, sacrifice, and vision have shaped the community we know and cherish today.”
Fr Ireneusz went through the rich history of Pymble, leading up to the arrival of the Salvatorians in 2001.
“We came here through the discernment and invitation of Bishop David, and we remain deeply grateful for the trust he placed in the Salvatorian community,” he said. “His confidence in our mission enabled us to become part of the rich story of faith and service that continues to unfold in Pymble.”
The Salvatorians will hold a larger celebration to celebrate 65 years of the Order in Australia, in September in Perth.
In June 1961, Fr Paul Keyte SDS, an English priest, arrived in Perth at the invitation of Archbishop Redmond Prendiville, beginning the Order’s presence in Australia.
The first priests of the Society were from the British Province, however in 1987, the Polish Province of Salvatorians assumed responsibility for Australia.
The Order was founded in Rome on 8 December 1881 by Blessed Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan. Initially called the Society of Catholic Instruction, it changed its name after a few years.
Its founder imposed a vow of apostolic mission work on the members of the Society, in addition to vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
The Order began its work in Pymble when Fr Tadeusz Seremet SDS and Fr George Kolodziej SDS (now Bishop of Bunbury) were appointed to minister there in early 2001.
Since then, many Salvatorian priests have served in the parish, including Fr Dariusz Basiaga, Fr Mariusz Adamczyk, Fr Zygmunt Wloczek, Fr Roman Wroblewski, Fr Robert Masternak, Fr Boguslaw Loska, Fr Greg Skulski, Fr Krzysztof Kowalczyk (now Superior General of the Salvatorians), Fr Paul Tran, Fr Lukasz Kleczka, and Fr Marek Paczka.
Fr Alex Sapel SDS will join the parish soon as assistant priest.
You can read the reflection of Fr Ireneusz Czech SDS in full here (PDF 101.8KB).
