Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Spirituality
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) held its first ever Virtual Spirituality retreat from 21-24 November 2021.
The presentations from this retreat each explored and developed concepts including Caring for our Common Home and the path to a better future and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Spirituality.
NATSICC has generously provided the following presentations to extend their benefit:
Aboriginal Spirituality – Aunty Dulcie Isaro (16min)
- Uses examples from her people’s spirituality to sketch broader themes of Aboriginal Spirituality.
- One quote is: “We did not have to take another’s land as the Great Spirit gave each people their own land which was enough to provide their needs.”
Healing through Country – Caroline Hughes (43 min)
- Starts with an overview of Ngunnawal culture.
- People have a cultural responsibility to care for Country as a living entity with whom they have a relationship.
- Revitalising language is vital to healing Country.
- Cultural safety includes seeing Aboriginal symbols, artifacts and art in churches and other places.
- Ongoing impacts of forced removal of children and other genocidal practices.
- Importance of mutual understanding for Reconciliation.
Let us Dream – The Path to a better future – Fr Steve Fletcher MGL (40 min)
- Links Pope Francis’ reflections in the book “Let us Dream” and the Uluru Statement From The Heart.
- People encounter God in their context – place, situation, relationships.
I am the vine…you are the branches – Fr Dave Tremble MGL (47 min)
- Draw deeply from God and connect to and reach out to others
- reflections with music, art and prayer
Caring for our Common Home – Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green (43 min)
Two short reflections are also available:
Deacon Boniface Reflection (5.30 min)
- Words of the late Deacon Boniface (first permanent Indigenous Catholic deacon in Australia) on what it means to be an Aboriginal person in the Catholic tradition
Aboriginal Contemplation – Sherry Balcombe
https://www.natsicc.org.au/assets/aboriginal-contemplation-2021-mk-2.pdf
- 27 slides with reflective images and text
