Principal's Update
Reconciliation Australia promotes and facilitates respect, trust and positive relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This week is National Reconciliation Week, a week that commemorates the successful referendum of 1967 and the High Court Mabo decision of 1992, two significant milestones in our reconciliation journey. This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week is Grounded in Truth Walk Together with Courage, a theme which calls for truth-telling about Australia’s colonial history. As stated by Reconciliation Australia, “our nation’s past is reflected in the present, and will continue to play out in future unless we heal historical wounds”. It is a time for us to continue to learn about our shared histories and cultures, and to reflect upon how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
“Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Last week our FIRE Carriers participated in a Justice Seminar with student leaders from the other Kildare Education Ministries schools at Clonard College, Geelong. The focus of the day was on reconciliation. It included a cultural dance and discussion led by indigenous students. Local Indigenous elders also shared their stories with the students.
Reconciliation Prayer
Holy Father, God of Love,
You are the Creator of all things.
We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history
and the sufferings of Our peoples,
and we ask your forgiveness.
We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures.
Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus
to reconcile the world to you.
We pray for your strength and grace to forgive,
accept and love one another,
as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.
Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history
so that we may build a better future for our Nation.
Teach us to respect all cultures.
Teach us to care for our land and waters.
Help us to share justly the resources of this land.
Help us to bring about spiritual and social change
to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities,
especially the disadvantaged.
Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.
May your power and love be the foundations
on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(Wontulp Bi-Buya
Indigenous Theology Working Group
13 March 1997 Brisbane, Qld).
We Pray For
We ask for your prayers for members of our community and their families who have recently lost loved ones:
Geoffrey James Hilliard
Father of Jo-Anne Hilliard (Staff)
Max Whisson
Father of Andrew Whisson (Staff) and
Father-in-Law of Kate Whisson (Past Staff)
Con Mangos
Father-in-Law of Tony Grosso (Staff)
Rose Dunk
Mother-in-Law of Breanna Neighbour (Staff)
We pray that our loving God hold them gently in the palm of His hand.
Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal