The Newsletter of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council October 2011

In August, I had the opportunity of attending World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. World Youth Day (WYD) is an event that was created by Blessed Pope John Paul 2, calling youth of the world together to live out of faith in God and celebrate it together. WYD11, Madrid was the second WYD I have attended, (WYD08, Australia) and I have enjoyed every minute of it.My pilgrimage began on Wednesday 10th August, when I flew 3hrs from Cairns to Sydney. Here I met up with 3 pilgrims from NSW also representing NATSICC Dean Buchanan, Maureen Davis and Michael Tyerman, and together we then flew 5hrs from Sydney to Perth, where we spent our last night on Australian soil.The next day we met our pilgrimage group from the Kimberley, WA at Perth’s International Airport and began our journey to Portugal with stopovers

in Singapore and London. 25 hours later we arrived at our destination of Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal.After a quick tour of Lisbon, we visited the Basilica of Saint Anthony, where he was born. We stayed here briefly to pray then moved on to the Cathedral of Lisbon. This Cathedral is the oldest building in Lisbon and was built in the 14th century, the year 1150.We then travelled by bus, for a few hours, to Fatima. Fatima is a very special and holy place. It is well known for the apparitions of Mary when she appeared to 3 young children whilst they were feeding their sheep. Mary appeared many times to these children. We did the Stations of the Cross walk and on this walk, we visited the places that an angel had appeared to the 3 children and also where Mary appeared to them. This is where I felt

World Youth Day changes the lives of young people

NATSICC News

NATSICC and Broome group with Samoan pilgrims

Continued Page 2

By NATSICC Pilgrim Sabrina Stevens

closest to God. While we were here, we visited the shrine called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary several times to celebrate daily Mass and to pray the Rosary. We stayed in Fatima for 2 nights.After our 2 nights in Fatima, we travelled by bus across the border of Spain to a place called Salamanca for a one night stay. I really enjoyed visiting Salamanca and here we met many other pilgrims from all over the world. The first day that we were there we celebrated Mass with a pilgrimage group from Darwin which was an enjoyable experience. In Salamanca we took a guided tour of the city, visiting the famous university, main square and the old and new Cathedrals. Salamanca has amazing architecture with many of the buildings dating back to the 12th century. The next day we were heading for Madrid, for the World Youth Day celebrations. On the way to Madrid, we visited and prayed at the birth place of Saint Theresa of Avila, a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint and Carmelite nun. We also visited and prayed at Alba de Tormes, the place of her death and burial. This was a very special and memorable time of the pilgrimage for me. We continued on with our journey to Madrid, arriving there at about 6pm that night. This is when the festivities of WYD began.Throughout World Youth Day, we were continually praying and attending daily mass. I met many pilgrims from all over the world from many

different cultures and walks of life. The festivities were amazing and drew us closer to God and a life of prayer. My favourite thing about the week long festivities would have to be the Aussie Gathering with nearly 4000 other Australian pilgrims. I thoroughly enjoyed this gathering and it was so wonderful to see other Australians after almost a week of being in a foreign country where the people don’t speak English!The most memorable thing about WYD in Madrid happened on the final night at the overnight vigil where we got to sleep out underneath the stars. Throughout this particular day, there had been a massive storm brewing on the horizon. As hundreds of thousands of pilgrims waited for Pope Benedict to arrive, the storm moved closer to our camp out.Finally, the Pope arrived and greeted the youth of the world by driving through the grounds. He made his way to the altar on the main stage, where he was going to address the crowds. He finished addressing the crowd and as soon as he did this, it started pouring down rain. It rained heavily for 15-20 minutes. The Pope waited patiently and when the rain did not clear, he asked God to stop the rain. Immediately, the rain stopped and the storm clouds went away. This experience for me was absolutely amazing and it is an experience that I will never forget.

Sabrina (Left) and room mate Soleil White

As our week in Madrid drew to a close, I began to feel sad because I knew that we would have to go back into our usual routines, far too soon than I would have liked. I cherished every moment I had with my pilgrimage group like it was my last.We continued our pilgrimage and journeyed north to San Sebastian. San Sebastian is a little sea side town located 20km south of the border of France. We stayed here for 1 night, giving us the opportunity to wind down and relax after the celebrations in Madrid. We were given a guided tour of the city and churches, and we were given time to see the sights. I accompanied a small group of people to the beach in the Bay of Biscay. This was an awesome experience as I got to swim in the Atlantic Ocean. The water was extremely cold and salty but I had so much fun. This experience is one that I still talk about all the time.After our ‘swell’ time in San Sebastian, we headed north across the border to our final destination on our pilgrimage, Lourdes, for our final two nights.Lourdes is an amazing and very holy place. This is where Mother Mary appeared to Bernadette, a 14 year old girl. Mary appeared to Bernadette 18 times and it was here that she revealed herself to Bernadette as “The Immaculate Conception”.Lourdes is home to the famous healing baths that draw people from all over the world to receive healing for various medical conditions. Many people have been healed at these springs and I am one of them.Whilst here, 2 men from my pilgrimage group had come to realise that they had never been baptised

as babies, so Bishop Christopher Saunders of the Kimberley baptised these two lucky pilgrims at a church in Lourdes. When our time in Lourdes came to an end, we travelled north by bus to Toulouse where we then began our journey home. This was a pilgrimage in itself - but we were happy to be heading home.Flying from Toulouse, France to Perth, Australia with a 9 hour stopover in London, it felt wonderful to be homeward bound. I spent one night in Perth; the last night with my new pilgrimage family, and then caught my flight back to Cairns via Alice Springs. Doing this pilgrimage was the best thing I could have done. I met many amazing people and I saw God’s presence touch so many lives.I have so many people to thank for their ongoing support and prayers as I prepared for World Youth Day, and especially my parish who are continuing to support me.I’d like to thank NATSICC and Bishop Christopher Saunders for allowing me to travel with them and to all those people who made our pilgrimage complete.If you are young and are at a point in your life where you’re wondering what else is out there, please do a pilgrimage to World Youth Day. It will change your life and it could very well be the best things you ever do. I strongly recommend it.

Hasta Luego, See You Later & God Bless

Sabrina (Right) and Soleil White with American Pilgrims

Photo Courtesy wyd2008.org.au

Culturally enriched throughthe Gospel

The 2012 NATSICC National Assembly is less than 12 months away!After much deliberation, the Council has selected ‘Culturally enriched through the Gospel’ as the theme for the 2012 NATSICC National Assembly in Melbourne. We can confirm that the event will take place from Monday 1 October to Thursday 4 October 2012.

The theme ties in with the Bishops Conference 2012 theme - the Year of Grace. The intention is to investigate the ways in which Jesus can be part of your day to day life and provide a basis for your decision making. NATSICC hopes that this Assembly will be a deeply spiritual event that will provide the opportunity to look within, share and develop our relationship with God in a culturally appropriate way.

The council is currently in discussion with the Darebin Council to utilise their excellent Art Centre as the main venue for the Assembly. So far, Darebin have been extremely supportive and continue their support of Indigenous projects in their area.

A range of accommodation options will be available, with most delegates staying at Rydges Bell City, a 10 minute walk from Darebin Arts Centre. Bell City has a variety of rooms ranging from simple accommodation up to larger apartment styles.

Costs are yet to be confirmed but it is always the intention of NATSICC to charge as little as possible for those attending. We are working hard to make sure that we can negotiate excellent rates for meals, accommodation and activities. NATSICC does not make a profit on the Assembly and will pass on any savings directly to participants.

Please think about starting a Savings Plan or organising fundraising events to ensure that we can get as many people as possible to the event. To register your interest for this event email assembly@natsicc.org.au or call 08 8363 2963.

Delegates at the Brisbane Assembly 2009

Culturally enriched throughthe Gospel

The 2012 NATSICC National Assembly is less than 12 months away!

NT News‘GROWING OUR OWN’

CONSTITUTIONALREFORM

Please add me to the NATSICC News Mailing List.

Name: ______________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Email: ___________________________

Post Slip to: NATSICC Secretariat 80 Payneham Rd, Stepney SA 5069 or email craig@natsicc.org.au

As a member of the National NGO Network on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NATSICC has endorsed a letter to the expert panel considering the inclusion of Indigenous people in the body of the constitution.

Amongst many other recommendations, the letter calls for:

* The Constitution be amended such that it no longer allows discrimination against any particular group based on their race. *Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to be recognised in either a preamble or in the body of the Constitution.

A copy of the letter can be obtained by visiting:

http: / /antar.org.au/si tes/default / f i les/CR%20Submission.PDF

NATSICC has recently become aware of the ‘Growing our Own’ project run jointly by Catholic Education and Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory.

The intent of the Growing Our Own program is to build the capacity of all staff working in Indigenous Catholic Community Schools.

The NT Catholic Education website states In partnership with our Indigenous communities, Charles Darwin University and the Federal Government, we recognize that local Indigenous teachers are best placed to deliver and plan the curriculum around Indigenous languages and culture that best serves the needs of our children.

Bishop Eugene Hurley was on hand at the University’s June graduation to acknowledge the good work that has been done with the graduates and express his hope for the incoming students.

More information: http://www.ceont.catholic.edu.au/CEO/main/index.php?ch_table=link5&PID=51&SID=WgwWzaQiGcLIhMfX&st=7

 

 

Aboriginal  Catholic  Ministry        St  Benedict’s  Parish            PO  Box  55  Jerrabomberra  Avenue  NARRABUNDAH  ACT  2604  PH:  6295  7879    Contacts:  Sally  FitzGerald  –  0422  066  080    Kerrie  Hogan  –  0402  049  650  Bronnie  Schlager  –  0432  257  622    Vision  Statement:  The  Aboriginal  Catholic  Ministry  in  the  ACT  gathers  together  the  Indigenous  community  to  nurture  their  spiritual,  cultural  and  social  growth  and  to  promote  a  Jesus  centred  ministry  of  courage  and  hope.  ‘The  hour  has  come  for  you  to  take  on  new  courage  and  new  

hope’  Pope  John  Paul  II,  Alice  Springs  1986.  

   

 

Aboriginal  Catholic  Ministry  Archdiocese  of  Canberra  &  Goulburn  

 

 

 

Aboriginal  Catholic  Ministry        St  Benedict’s  Parish            PO  Box  55  Jerrabomberra  Avenue  NARRABUNDAH  ACT  2604  PH:  6295  7879    Contacts:  Sally  FitzGerald  –  0422  066  080    Kerrie  Hogan  –  0402  049  650  Bronnie  Schlager  –  0432  257  622    Vision  Statement:  The  Aboriginal  Catholic  Ministry  in  the  ACT  gathers  together  the  Indigenous  community  to  nurture  their  spiritual,  cultural  and  social  growth  and  to  promote  a  Jesus  centred  ministry  of  courage  and  hope.  ‘The  hour  has  come  for  you  to  take  on  new  courage  and  new  

hope’  Pope  John  Paul  II,  Alice  Springs  1986.  

   

 

Aboriginal  Catholic  Ministry  Archdiocese  of  Canberra  &  Goulburn  

 

Aboriginal & Islander Catholic Ministries

in focusCatholic Ministry

Archdiocese of Canberra& Goulburn

The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the ACT gathers together the Indigenous community to nurture their spiritual, cultural and social growth and to promote a Jesus centred ministry of

courage and hope.

‘The hour has come for you to take on new courage and new hope’

Pope John Paul II , Alice Springs 1986

Contact Details

St Benedict’s ParishPO Box 55Jerrabomberra AvenueNARRABUNDAH ACT 2604Ph: 02 6295 7879

Contacts:Sally FitzGerald–0422066080Kerrie Hogan – 0402 049 650Bronnie Schlager – 0432 257 622

in focus

‘The hour has come for you to take on new courage and new hope’

NATSICC Saddened by the passing of Fr. Michael Hayes

Having celebrated 60 Years of Priesthood in October 2010, Fr. Michael Hayes passed away on 25 October 2011 at McAuley House.

Fr. Hayes’ untiring commitment to minorities in Australia was evident in the words spoken at Fr. Hayes’ Diamond Jubilee in Rockhampton last year.

Bishop Brian commented that there were far too many groups of people to cover in Father Michael’s long ministry. Father Brian acknowledged his ministry with the Indigenous people of the Diocese.

A Rockhampton Diocesan record of 1960 noted Father Hayes relationship with Woorrabinda, “Father Michael Hayes, Parish Priest of Theodore, visits the Community regularly and is untiring in his efforts to promote the welfare of all Aboriginal people.”

Father Hayes as parish priest at Theodore circulated a newsletter about Murri Affairs to a network in and outside of Queensland. In the early seventies there was his connection to the early Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Council (AICC) founding from NSW and his influence in setting up the AICC annual meetings in Queensland.

Leesa Jeffcoat, Diocesan Director of Catholic Education, in her welcoming address also congratulated Father Hayes on his diamond jubilee and gave thanks for his ongoing contribution to Catholic Education, particularly in the area of the education of Indigenous students. At his Golden Jubilee, a Michael Hayes Scholarship was founded and every year is presented to two outstanding Indigenous students from the Catholic colleges of the Diocese.

Fr. Mick, as he was affectionately known in the Indigenous community was a special man that devoted every fibre of his being to our people as well as others that were in need. The large number of Indigenous people in the congregation at the Jubilee celebration Mass is testament to this.

We thank God for the time that Fr. Michael spent with us.

Vigil – 7.30pm Sunday 30 October, St Joseph’s Cathedral RockhamptonRequiem Mass - 11am Monday 31 October at St Joseph’s Cathedral Rockhampton

Visit www.youtube.com/user/TheNATSICC

NATSICC Secretariat80 Payneham Rd. Stepney SA 5069 | 08 8363 2963 | 0402 019 536 | craig@natsicc.org.au

Artistic? Like to win $500?NATSICC is launching a competition to design a logo for the 2012 National Assembly. The logo should focus on the theme of ‘Culturally Enriched through the Gospel’. You should focus on the way Catholic Faith combines with traditional beliefs and spirituality. The logo will be used on advertising, websites, documentation, bags, T-Shirts and will be linked forever with the Assembly. Send entries via email (full colour scan - min 300dpi) or mail by 18 November 2011. Please include name, group (Kaurna etc.), email, phone number and address with your entry to 80 Payneham Rd. Stepney SA 5069 or email to assembly@natsicc.org.au Previous Assembly logos:

Conditions:* The Design will need to be able to be reproduced in both full colour and single colour (black and white)* NATSICC will own copyright and reproduction rights. Artist will retain Intellectual copyright* Entries will be judged and the winner selected by the NATSICC Council* Competition closes 18 November 2011. Winner will be notified by mail and receive prize by direct debit into a nominated bank account.