Prayer

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) Victoria

NRW is a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories and relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation. This encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, learn, work and socialise. For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s choose to create a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all. NRW is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

‍The week is framed by the anniversaries of two significant milestones in our reconciliation journey - the successful 1967 Referendum (27 May) and the High Court Mabo decision (3 June).

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 is Be a Voice for Generations.

http://www.reconciliationvic.org.au/act/reconciliation-week

O God, Creator of all peoples,

We thank you that you are found and worshiped in every land, in dance and community, in suffering and peace-making, in silence and singing and in the faithfulness of your people.

We especially thank You for the gift of Your servant, Pope John Paul, who came to our land forty years ago and met with the first peoples of this country.

We recall his challenges to us and commit ourselves to work together to become the Church that Jesus wants us to be, to be a Church where Indigenous people are able to make their contribution to her life and where that contribution is joyfully received by all.

Forgive us when we have failed to heed the Pope's call, when we tie our own hands through prejudice or an ungenerous spirit.

Lead us, together, to value our many traditions and to listen to the wisdom that we can offer each other.

Give us new hearts to be people of reconciliation in the spirit of the

Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council

Amen