Faith Education

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday and that is a wonderful opportunity to stand still and reflect on National Reconciliation Week next week and National Sorry Day this Friday. 

National Sorry Day 

National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

National Reconciliation Week 

On Thursday last week, during our staff meeting we explored what it  means to do an 'Acknowledgement of Country' and what we actually acknowledge. Two of the questions were: Who are we acknowledging? and Who are the people of the Kulin Nation? 

The Kulin Nation consists of the five language groups who are the traditional owners and lived in what is known as the Port Phillip (Port Phillip Bay: Narrm) region:

• Boonwurrung (Boon-wur-rung)
• Dja Dja Wurrung (Jar-Jar-Wur-rung)
• Taungurung (Tung-ger-rung)
• Wathaurung (Wath-er-rung)
• Woiwurrung (Woy-wur-rung),commonly known as Wurundjeri.

We acknowledge that these language groups have been looking after the earth and waterways for at least the least 67,000 years. 

What are we acknowledging?

We acknowledge their spirituality. 

What are we acknowledging?

We are acknowledging their connection to the land.

What are we acknowledging?

We are acknowledging their culture.

What are we acknowledging?

We acknowledge the need for Listening, Truth-telling, Reconciliation and Justice.

Prayer

Lord, we pray for Reconciliation:

That the wrongs of the past may be recognized,

That our awareness of the journey so far be awakened,

And that the Spirit move us to walk the talk and see through what has been started.

We ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

AMEN

(Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria)

Kinds Regards, 

Ru Lameijn (rlameijn@tcs.catholic.edu.au)

Deputy Principal - Religious Education Leader