This week is National Reconciliation Week

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

National Reconciliation Week (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 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

The path towards reconciliation begins with curiosity and wonder at our Indigenous brothers and sisters, their vision of the world and what they value. Curiosity then leads us to take interest in their stories. These inevitably take us back to the invasion by representatives of the European culture and its effects both on Indigenous culture and on the people who inherited it. We are led to recognise the racist attitudes, discriminatory laws, exploitation and abusive administration that have contributed to the social ills that have afflicted Indigenous people. These include their disproportionate ill health, unequal incarceration, and limited access to educational opportunity and work.

(Andrew Hamilton, Australian Jesuit Priest)

Compassion and reconciliation are words that speak of relationship and deep down feelings. One cannot be reconciled alone, nor can one be compassionate apart from others. The stories of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis, 37-46 and The Lost Son in the parables of Luke are stories that speak profoundly of both reconciliation and compassion. Both have to do with relationships – deep relationships that have been broken almost beyond repair. Relationships that are then restored. In both of these scripture stories the relationships are restored because of the ability on the part of both parties to forgive and be forgiving; to reach out to the other in true compassion and healing. They are stories about being brave and reaching out to one another to bring about peace and to restore a sense of community.

Reconciliation can only take place when Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians meet as equals and address the challenges that as a nation we face in building a just society. This will entail removing the obstacles that attitudes and practices based on inequality have created, and supporting the initiatives within Indigenous communities and the institutional change that will lead to real reconciliation.

(Andrew Hamilton, Australian Jesuit Priest).

As persons committed to making the love of Jesus tangible in our world we are called to make reconciliation more than a word.

To find out more about National Reconciliation Week watch this clip:

National Reconciliation Week Promotional Video

Reconciliation Painting

Artist: Cindy Alsop

The promise of reconciliation begins with the journey of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people approaching the cross of Christ where we sit and share our stories; honouring one another as those made in the image of God. United in purpose, we walk away as partners – reconciled people – committed to being agents of reconciliation.

Defining the icons:

Ochre (brown) - Represents mother earth.

Semi-circle of Us - People sitting together.

Black and white hands - Reaching out to each other.

Footprints - Indigenous and non-Indigenous journey to the cross.

Blue lines and dots - People moving away, as partners, reconciled.

How has our school community demonstrated our commitment to reconciliation this week?

Our National Sorry Day Liturgy
Commissioning of our New Fire Carriers
Participating in the Diocesan Reconciliation Mass which was livestreamed from Wodonga
Celebrating Jye’s abilities as an Indigenous dancer
Indigenous craft with Aunty Donna in the library
A display of Indigenous literature and artwork in the library
Celebrating the achievement of past Indigenous students in our LM each morning
The screening of ‘Satellite Boy’ at lunchtimes in the Hall
The promotion of the new film ‘The Drover’s Wife’ (based on the short story written by Henry Lawson) which is screening at the Paramount Cinema this week and stars awesome Indigenous actress Leah Purcell.

Kirrilee Westblade

Catholic Identity Leader

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