Josephites around Australia

celebrated the National Apology

to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

New South Wales

Eucharist at Mary MacKillop Chapel - Day of the Government Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

North Sydney

Many people attended the Eucharist at Mary MacKillop Chapel on Wednesday 13 February to celebrate the Government Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Sr Pat Malone rsj welcomed everyone to the celebration and spoke of ongoing reconciliation and the creation of a compassionate society where the future is one of hope.

The Eucharist was celebrated by Fr Graeme

Malone SSS who spoke on the continuing journey to foster further pathways to justice, reconciliation and healing among the peoples of this land.

In various gathering places throughout Mary MacKillop Place groups watched with a sense of awe and gratitude the apology speeches deivered by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. We rejoiced to hear the words formally spoken in our Parliament and in the presence of such a gathering of members of the Stolen Generation and other dignitaries. We had a sense that Mary MacKillop was rejoicing with us and we remembered in a special way the many Aboriginals that have challenged and supported us and been in partnership with us in so many places.

Ballina

It was quite a simple gathering in Ballina. The local Bungjalung people gathered at one of their centres. Local Council members, and members of the public were invited to attend a breakfast and watch the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader speak. There were mixed emotions in the group.
Each of the schools Catholic and State held their own gatherings at the assembly time. The Healing prayer was used at the Catholic schools. The Bishop put out a short statement in the local paper.

An Aboriginal Woman's Reflection

My spirit is filled with mixed feelings – a heavy heart of sadness for those that were taken away & the negative effects that these actions have had on many, many Aboriginal families & communities.  I also feel a sense of relief, now that peoples Sorry Business & Healing can begin.  This is all coupled with feelings of excitement at the possibilities that have now opened up for us, as the next chapter of the Australian story can start to be lived out in a true spirit of Reconciliation.

A Victorian Sister's Reflection

13th Feb 2008 The day of an amazing miracle of the Great Spirit, of Aboriginal Dreaming in the present day and ourselves welcome participants in this long journey, with its peaks of euphoria followed by unbelievable emptiness, struggle and determination to do all to keep the flame of “Sorry” alive; spurred on by the example of survival and achievement of so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this Land.

In Canberra today, addressing the great ATSI gathering with their friends to hear our Prime Minister, in his first act of Parliament say those special words “for the pain, suffering and loss we say “Sorry”.  We shared in this new historic moment, our pride restored, our hope energized to continue the journey with our ATSI brothers and sisters.