St Xavier’s School hall was the centre of a NAIDOC Week liturgy on Monday, with the school community joined by students and staff from St Mary’s College to celebrate this year’s theme “Because of Her, We Can”.
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National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday was celebrated in Catholic churches last weekend, with a reflection on Mary and her role in the life of Jesus - as a mother, as a guide, as a source of wisdom and support.
“In our community, our mothers, sisters, aunties, grandmothers and daughters have been, and continue to be the thread which holds our families together,” student Courtney McMullen-Seach said in the introduction.
“May we all remember the work of these women in our lives and continue to work collectively towards true reconciliation.”
The liturgy began with the setting of the sacred space with narrator Grace Jaeger introducing the symbols of the coolamon, carried by Lachlan Jones, the clapping sticks presented by Ava Wilson, life-giving water was placed by Liam Novley and finally earth, carried by Lillyanna Talbott-Hatch - symbolising human’s reliance on nature and the responsibility of maintaining stewardship of creation.
The first reading from Corinthians was delivered by Caleb Dorrington, with Hannah Bennett reading the Gospel from Mark, which commands believers to “love the Lord your God” and “love your neighbour”.
Prayers for the wider community, including the disadvantaged, the vulnerable and the homeless, the sick and dying, were followed by a Aboriginal dance performance by Fleur and Locky Magick Dennis.
After a number of traditional dances, Fleur and Locky shared their reflections on the theme of NAIDOC Week 2018, remembering the roles played by strong women in their lives, including mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
Women form the backbone of communities across Australia and this is particularly true for Aboriginal and Islander Catholic ministries, where women are at the forefront of community driven organisations designed to meet the spiritual and physical needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics.
The celebration closed with a gathering on the lawn in the shape of the Aboriginal flag - St Mary’s students were dressed in black, with St Xavier’s pupils in red and seniors and staff forming the yellow sun. A photograph was taken from the air as a fitting finale to the NAIDOC Week celebrations.
