Sorry Day (26 May) and Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June) both focus on alleviating personal, social and cultural injustice that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have faced from non-Indigenous Australia. The onus of these weeks are on non-Indigenous organisations, people and groups to take steps to “Be Brave. Make Change.” This is the theme of this year’s week and Reconciliation Action Plans are a good first step.
A new resource exploring the relationship between the Uluru Statement from the Heart and care for the environment has been released, aimed at small group discussions in a parish setting. The resource is a creation of the South Australian Dialogue of the Roman Catholic and Uniting Churches and can be used across denominations. A leader’s guide is also available through their website to help preparations.
The Australian Catholic Bishops have released a new election resource highlighting key issues for consideration this election. The guide doesn’t assign ratings to candidates or parties, but rather gives a background on the different issues that could affect the election and information on these issues from a Catholic perspective.
Reconciliation week is approaching and the theme for this year is, “Be Brave. Make Change”. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council has helped many Dioceses and Catholic agencies create a Reconciliation Action Plan and encourages organisations to do so. The theme for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Sunday (3 July) is, “The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. Get up! Stand up! Show up”
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) released a statement ahead of 26 January, Australia Day. In it they affirm their belief that 27 May would be a better day to celebrate and encourage all Australians to take up the theme this year, adding one key element: Do. NATSICC provide a practical guide for all to make this their year of ‘Do’.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council has created a new online cultural competency course which provides a foundational knowledge for any Catholic worker, volunteer, Clergy or religious. To be used with engagement with local Traditional Custodians, this cultural competency course is available online and is the first of its kind to be created from a Catholic perspective. All are encouraged to participate.
Over 21 November – 24 November, NATSICC held its first ever online retreat through zoom. Over 120 people participated across the 4 days which included talks from Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green on Caring for Creation, Aunty Dulcie Isaro on Aboriginal culture and spirituality as well as online yarning circles and prayers. The talks and two beautiful prayer reflections are now available online for all the view.
The Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace is co-leading a 40-day prayer campaign based on the Laudato Si’ Goals, for communities joining the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. The prayer campaign begins on 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis, and concludes on 14 November, the World Day of Prayer for the Poor.
Dynamic and engaging resources to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday have been released by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council. NATSICC). Homily notes, liturgy notes, prayers of intercession, videos and activities are available, celebrating this year’s theme Healing Country. “Today our world is in need of healing… We must all come together … to fight the injustices of inequality, racism and environmental damage.”
Sorry Day has been observed since 1998, one year after the Bringing Them Home report was presented in the Australian Federal Parliament. This report detailed the impact of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Sorry Day offers an… Read More »National Sorry Day