AUSTRALIA'S INDIGENOUSE PEOPLES, ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER SUNDAY, JULY 2nd, NAIDOC WEEK
NAIDOC week and affirmation of the indigenous people of Australia and the Torres Strait Islands invites the Chevalier Family to reflect on our history with aboriginal peoples. It began in 1906 with the MSC going to Darwin, the mission experiences at Bathurst Island (Wurrumiyanga), Melville Island PIriangimpi). Daly River (Nauiyi), Port Keats (Wadeye) and in Central Australia at Arltunga and Santa Teresa. OLSH Sisters played a prominent role, along with lay missionaries and the Brothers and Priests, MSC. The mission stations developed into towns with the missionaries becoming parish priests.
The Chevalier Family has been present in Darwin, in the Torres Strait, on Palm Island, Queensland, in Wilcannia, New South Wales, in Eskineville, Sydney, and the local aboriginal ministry. Aboriginal students have been present in MSC schools, especially when MSC and OLSH staffed St John’s Darwin. We value the time Pat Dodson was with us and appreciate his leadership work since. Aboriginal women became OLSH Sisters. Along with Deacon Boniface at Wadeye, there have been other deacons.
While we remember with joy and a sense of collaboration, for instance the work at Nauiyi in combatting alcoholism, we also express sorrow and regret for any harm done and any lack of awareness of aboriginal traditions and life.
With over 120,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics in Australia, our first nation people form an important part of the fabric of Church life. Every State and Territory in Australia has an Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Ministry.
The theme 'Anyone who welcomes you, welcomes me' resonates strongly with our people. It is a reminder to keep an open mind and heart to not only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but anyone that faces challenges including refugees, the disabled and impoverished.
The 2017 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday Poster is based on the artwork of Yvonne Tjintjiwara Edwards.
Prayer of the Aboriginal People
Father of all, you gave us the Dreaming
You have spoken to us through our beliefs
You then made your love clear to us in the person of Jesus
We thank you for your care
You own us
You are our hope
Make us strong as we face the problems of change
We ask you to help the people of Australia to listen to us and respect our culture
Make the knowledge of you grow strong in all people
So that you can be at home in us and we can make a home for everyone in our land.
Amen.
Prayer composed for the meeting between Pope John Paul II and the Aboriginal people.