Our Faith - Religion - Prayer 

St Patrick's Church Walcha 

For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Fr Anthony Koppman 67772129.

Fr Anthony would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.

Reflection

Traditional Belief Systems and Catholic Faith Understanding Culture and Faith: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture has existed in place for over 60,000 years in Australia and is the oldest surviving culture in the world. However, there was not a singular ‘culture’ shared by the thousands of language groups that covered the Australian continent at the time of settlement. Each group had different environments and differing kinship systems, dreamtime stories and spiritual beliefs. There were, however, constant threads throughout including the concept of a creator spirit that looks, provides and watches over us. Aboriginal and Islanders are a spiritual people, a people who are aware of the spiritual reality of the land and of their own lives.

sWhen early Christian missionaries introduced the Bible to Aboriginal people, the Elders recognised many similarities between the Old Testament stories and traditional stories, laws and the teachings of God (or a creator Spirit). They believed and had faith in their Ancestor Spirit and relied on Him for all their needs. He was their Protector, Provider, Carer and Saviour. His name was honoured. Traditional culture uses stories to teach about sharing, caring for each other and the land and providing moral guidance. The stories throughout the bible serve the exact purpose - placed God’s teachings into our own cultural context. 

An excellent example was provided by Pastor George Rosendale: 

Then there is the story of the black and white cockatoos. They were brothers. One day the white cockatoo found the black cockatoo sitting under a shady tree looking angry and upset. ‘What is wrong, brother?’ ‘I’m angry with dad because he made me black. Why didn’t he make me like you? I’m going to change myself’. He went to his uncle’s country and asked him for honey and clay. ‘Get as much as you like, there’s plenty there’. He got the clay and honey and went back home. He powdered the clay and rubbed honey all over himself and put the powdered clay on. He looked at himself and said, ‘Now I look like my brother’. His grandpa got so angry with him and he called on the monsoon to bring rain. It washed all the clay off him. Later his brother came and spoke to him. He reminded him about his father’s love for him. He took him to the father and made things right again. Today the black cockatoo is happy. He’s singing when flying and feeding. Jesus our Big Brother has made things right for us. He has broken the barrier that kept us away from our Father and each other. (Eph. 2:11-22; Rom. 5:1-11.) 7 

The story illustrates wonderfully the ways in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics can adapt and see the similarities of the stories contained in the bible with traditional teaching and stories. The underlying lesson is clear, it is the context that provided the feeling of ownership of the teaching. Once these connections are made, the Gospel is perfectly relevant and at the centre of the faith systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics.

A Prayer for National NAIDOC Week.

Dear God,

 Help us to listen to, respect and appreciate the history, culture and achievements of the First Nations People. peoples, which are precious and important to all life in this Country. With your love and spirit, let us walk together in unity, peace and harmony on this precious land.

Mass Friday 8th August at 9.15am

The whole school community will be celebrating Mass on Friday, 8th Augustcommencing at 9.15am. Everyone is welcome to come and join us.

Sacrament Dates for 2025

2025 First Reconciliation: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Years 2 and 3 for Friday 24th October 2025.

2025 Confirmation: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Years 5 and 6 for Sunday 21st September 2025.

Catherine McAuley

Catherine’s spirituality was centred on the mercy of God…prayer in action…action in prayer.