DREAMING FROM THE HEART - ALICE SPRINGS

Many Sisters of St Joseph and members of the Josephite Aboriginal Committee attended Dreaming from the Heart, a gathering in Alice Springs organised by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) to mark the twentieth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s meeting with Indigenous Australians in Alice Springs. Sr Katrina Brill, Sr Joan Healy and Sr Pat Malone from the Congregational Leadership team and Sr Marion Gambin, Chairperson of the Josephite Justice Committee attended.They joined over six hundred Indigenous and non-Indigenous Catholics from around Australia.

SOME REFLECTIONS AND PHOTOS

I will remember the NATSICC Conference as a time of relishing Aboriginal culture in its respect for Spirit, land, and ancestors.  I will remember it as a time of listening to the stories in a setting of red earth, towering rock formations, ghost gums and intense blue skies.  I will remember the moon rise over a final Eucharist that the First Peoples of this land had certainly made their own.    Joan Healy rsj

During the Conference the depth of faith of the many people who were there struck me greatly. I was very humbled by it actually. The other thing that really came home to me was the depth and creativity and richness of the liturgy that the different Aboriginal groups brought to their prayer session.  I was very moved by each prayer session and observed that many others were also moved. At one stage I had already stood up to be prayed over and while I waited, I watched as these desert women totally focused on each person in turn, and sent, through their hands, all the healing and strength that comes from the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The strength and magnitude of the touch was awe-inspiring and yet so simple. I watched as the many priests and bishops stood there and were blessed by our Aboriginal sisters.  These gifts to liturgy were displayed again and again, and I marvelled how blessed the Church could be if she would only open her arms to these wonderful gifts.   Nola Goodwin rsj

The Alice Springs NATSICC assembly and Memorial Mass were amazing. Aboriginal people came together from the four directions. They travelled from the salt country up north and the southern riverlands, from Australia's major coastal cities and its remotest inland desert communities. They came from many language groups and cultural backgrounds and they came to celebrate being Indigenous and being Catholic.
This NATSICC assembly was timed to remember and celebrate the visit in 1986 of John Paul II who came to meet them and gave them great encouragement through the words he spoke. He had challenged them to continue making their contribution to church life in an Aboriginal way and that is what they were doing. He had challenged the Australian Church to joyfully receive Aboriginal people and their contribution to Catholic life and that had happened in a wonderful way through the Message Sticks that led the procession that opened the Memorial mass.

Marianne Zeinstra rsj

Participating in  NATSICC Assembly in Alice Springs was a privilege and a hope-filled spiritual experience that challenged and energised me because it 'spoke to the heart.' The meaningful liturgies which gave expression to indigenous culture and the opportunity to discuss with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people their hopes and dreams united the participants with a desire to move forward in addressing the needs of the first peoples of our land.    Marion Gambin rsj

What a wonderful celebration of culture, faith and hope. Over 600 Aboriginal Catholic people still full of the spirit of the challenging words of Pope John Paul 11 twenty years ago. There was so much to share with others but so little time to do so. For me a real missed opportunity that we didn't get the opportunity to dream and craft a vision of our true place in the Catholic Church. A message from Rome but we sent no message back. Yet we had all these message sticks travelling around the country spreading the word. It was so valuable catching up with all the networks across the country and strengthening our relationship. Hats off NATSICC for giving it its best shot.     Vicki Clark

The NATSICC Conference in Alice Springs was a privileged and sacred time led by Aboriginal people. For me it was a time of reconnecting with people and the land.  A time of listening to Aboriginal voices so strong and clear with vision for the future, for its Catholic mob and their Youth.  It was a time to be with and experience Aboriginal inculturation and be touched by its depth and healing power.  It was a time to walk this ancient land and be immersed in its spirit.    Kathryn Sweeney rsj

It was a wonderful experience and privilege to listen to so many Aboriginal people of all ages share their vision and their faith. I was deeply moved by the prayer celebrations and appreciated the Aboriginal expressions of the Catholic faith and the combination of traditional and liturgical rituals. The enthusiasm and confidence of the young Aboriginal participants especially those who had already been overseas to a World Youth Day gave me a great deal of hope for the future. It was wonderful to meet some of the young people being sponsored by the Foundation and watch their involvement and growth during the week. The final Eucharist is one that will remain with me for a long time and the power of the words of the original speech of Pope John Paul 11 and the new message of Benedict XVI as they challenge each of us to walk further on the road to reconciliation..      Pat Malone rsj

Bishop Ted Collins was here when Pope John Paul II came here twenty years ago and he summed up the spirit of the people as we came here to remember and celebrate this anniversary. Bishop Ted shared some wonderful humorous stories about the Pope’s visit. Also, the opening Eucharist was wonderful for me as an Aboriginal woman because there were so many Indigenous people performing important people performing roles in the liturgy. The gathering was important because it was a rare opportunity for me to catch up with so many people from around Australia who I haven’t seen for years.   Ravina Waldren - Coordinator of Brisbane’s Murri Ministry Team.

It was just beautiful to be here twenty years after the last time we were here with Pope John Paul, to be here with the people who were here twenty years ago and to appreciate their continuing friendship. It was also wonderful to be here with their children who were caring for the older ones and continuing the hope for justice. The other thing which is important to me is that we are here in memory of Pope John Paul II and, at the same time, in the living reality of Pope Benedict who has shown us that he supports Indigenous people in Australia too. Knowing that Pope Benedict is maintaining the spirit of Pope John Paul means that what we are doing here is not just nostalgia for the past, but something in the present.

Kay McPadden rsj

The recent NATSICC gathering, Dreaming from the Heart, spoke loudly to me about the faith and resilience of Aboriginal people.  I also felt proud that the words of the late Pope John II have brought so much hope and a renewed sense of dignity to Aboriginal Australians.

 As I sat beside Aboriginal friends at Blatherskite Park, I was impressed with the positive message Cardinal Cassidy delivered on behalf of Pope Benedict .  I felt that the current Pope has firmly and safely received the ‘message stick’ passed on by his predecessor.      Veronica Ryan rsj

What an amazing experience for me, for me as a first time participant!  Such beauty, reverence and commitment, from the hearts, of the Believers. The belief in the Pope’s ability to achieve the all powerful, was uppermost in all minds and hearts, of those present. What a great feeling to be a part of this and to believe that all matters could be achieved, if only one kept the Faith!

The venue was excellent; however issues with food and its management were overcome quickly to minimize the good order of the program. Organizers were well aware of all these issues but were very gracious and welcoming in their efforts to accommodate all people, from all walks of life who believed in         “Dreaming from the Heart”.

 The heat, for those coming from cooler climates, was oppressive but one gradually adjusted and came to terms with the weather of the Alice!

The program which was as diverse as the people who came together from many parts of the globe was ably managed by NATSICC.

Young people who participated in the sessions were very proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who believed not only in themselves and their achievements but were strong believers in their faith and what their Pope did for them going into a future which could be molded by them.  I felt so proud of them all and feel confident that our world has HOPE by their input!

I was terribly sorry that I could not complete the celebrations by joining the main “Dreaming from the Heart” activity at the Alice Springs oval on Saturday because I had commitments back in Adelaide.

But, thank you for a wonderful experience and for allowing me to be an active participant in a believer’s passion from “Dreaming From The Heart”.

Thanks to my Sisters who made this possible for me, the Aboriginal Planning Committee in Sydney, Sister Pat,  Nola, Kenise, Kay, Veronica, Kathryn, Dulcie, Vicki, Ravina, Jean and Pilawuk also the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Adelaide Reconciliation and Justice Group.

Dr Alitya

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