Religious Education News

Term 3 began at the conclusion of Naidoc week. I hope you and your families managed to attend some Naidoc week activities during the school holidays.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) is the peak advisory body to the Australian Catholic Bishops on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. The council was founded in 1992 and the Secretariat is based in Adelaide.

NATSICC is a not for profit organization that is funded by the Catholic Church and Caritas Australia's First Nations program.

The NATSICC Community Services awards are given to someone that has lived out the gospel values in their lives and in their work.

I would like to share with you the a select few 2024 Award Winners.

Elders Service to Community Award Winner - Maureen Moore

Maureen, a proud Wurundjeri woman from Healesville in Victoria, has demonstrated incredible strength and dedication to her community. As a member of the Stolen Generations, Maureen was taken from her family as a baby, along with her sister and brother. The siblings were sent to different places, and Maureen did not meet her parents again until she was 16. Despite these challenging beginnings, she has been an active and cherished member of All Saints parish for at least 15 years.

One of Maureen’s significant contributions to the Catholic Church has been her role as a friend and practical support person for Fr Gerard Dowling, who passed away last year. For the last 20 years of his life, Maureen drove him to and from his weekly radio program and assisted in 

presenting the show. Her support was especially vital after Fr Dowling moved to the retired priests’ accommodation at Justin Villa.

Maureen’s dedication and service have made a lasting impact on her community. Her strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment have earned her the NATSICC Elder Service to Community Award, recognizing her significant contributions and the love and care she has shown to those around her.

      Elders Service to Community Award Winners - Eileen Bray and    

      Shirley Purdie

Both Eileen and Shirley have been a part of the Ngalangangpum School (Warmun Community) school since its very beginning in 1979. Together, they regularly teach language and culture to the students and provide mentor ship and are positive role models for the young people to aspire to.

Eileen and Shirley conduct the Water Blessings and Smoking Ceremonies for many significant Church events (eg Pentecost), displaying the way in which Aboriginal Culture and Catholic faith work together. As a team, and as individuals, they are an incredible witness to the Gospel - combining Faith and Spirituality.

These two ladies have played an integral role in preserving the Gija language and faith systems for future generations by teaching hymns in Gija for Mass and supporting on Country Learning. They have been a part of incorporating Smoking with baptisms in a culturally and liturgically appropriate way.

As Elders, and leaders of their community, Eileen and Shirley have guided and supported many Sisters of St Joseph and School principals and staff, offering the warm hand of reconciliation thorough kindness. Renowned artists, they skillfully incorporate art into the local faith community and are recognised on an international level.

Our Elders are the holders of knowledge and we owe them an incredible debt for their strength and perseverance. Eileen and Shirley are very worthy joint winners of the NATSICC Elder Service to Community Award for 2024

                                                                                                      Source: NATSICC Awards