The theme for NRW 2018 is Don’t Keep History a Mystery.
Reconciliation Week: Is the National Week to celebrate and build respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and all Australians. The week begins on May the 27th which is the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum that saw over 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census. It ends on June 3rd which commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the High Court of Australia’s landmark Mabo decision in 1992, which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special, a relationship to the land, a relationship that existed prior to colonialisation and still exists today. This recognition paved the way for land rights or Native Title. “Don’t Keep History A Mystery: Learn. Share. Grow” explores history hidden just beneath the surface, ready and waiting to be uncovered. This National Reconciliation Week learn more about the Australian story at https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/
Here are some suggested ways that your community can connect with Reconciliation Week:
- Watch the “What is Reconciliation Video” produced by Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and show it at Mass and other activities you have in your community over the next week. Please note there is a 4min and 8min video. We recommend the 4 minutes video for Parish communities http://acm.perthcatholic.org.au/?page_id=87 or the 1.5 minute video on Australian Together https://www.australianstogether.org.au/nrw
- Getting involved in local Reconciliation week event in your area.
- Attending the 2018 Sorry DayEvent in Yagan Square
- Including some prayers at your Church services this Sunday (the attached resources might be useful for you or by visiting http://www.natsicc.org.au )
- Including a note in your parish bulletin about Reconciliation Week & Sorry Day
- Begin your service & meeting with an Acknowledgment to Country http://acm.perthcatholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Acknowledgment-to-Country-Cards-for-Church-Gatherings.pdf
- Print out copies of the Church Guide for Reconciliation Week & Reconciliation Timeline, which is also attached. More information can be found at www.reconciliation.org.au
- Engage in the Australians Together Resources- A resource that takes Australian Christians on a journey to explore the shared history of Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians and how we can move forward together. https://www.australianstogether.org.au/nrw ACM for a Catholic Fact Sheet to support this resource and to get a copy of the Church Tool Kit for Reconciliation. acm@perthcatholic.org.au
- Use the Anglican Board of Missions Reconciliation Week Resources which is attached
Reconciliation Week is a challenge to all Australians and as a Church we can take the words of St JPII 30 years ago in Alice Springs into action “The church in Australia will not be fully the Church Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and your contribution has been joyfully received by others”
May we walk together in Reconciliation in this great land of the Holy Spirit, honouring the sacred land that we live, work and worship on today. (ACM Director)
