This weekend the Australian Church celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) is the peak advisory body to the Australian Catholic Bishops on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. The Council was founded in 1992 and the Secretariat is based in Adelaide. Each State and Territory nominates a representative via their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministry. In addition to a number of initiatives aimed to support First Nations Catholics, NATSICC advises the Bishops Commission for Relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. NATSICC is a not for profit organisation that is funded by the Catholic Church and Caritas Australia’s First Nations program.

The 2024 theme for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday is Keep the fire burning – strong in faith. It speaks to the need and desire to keep working for reconciliation, trusting that this is God’s work and that God is with us.

On this day, we gather as one community to honour and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of our First Nations Peoples to our Australian Catholic Church. As Pope Francis reminds us, we are called to be a Church that goes forth, embracing all cultures and peoples. Let us open our hearts to the wisdom and spirituality of our First Nations Peoples, recognising the presence of Christ in the stories and traditions. May our Eucharist today be a moment of grace, healing, and transformation for all of us.

The Holy Spirit is located in the centre of the painting. It is the Spirit working in all of our communities.   

Artwork

Pentecost painting by Magda Lee, Gracie Mosquito and Imelda Gugamen (Balgo Community). The four circles in the corners of painting represent the four communities: Wirrimanu, Mulan, Kurrurungku and Ringer Soak. The leaders are represented through the horseshoes located around the circle. The different colours represent different people.

The stars represent the different flowers in our area. The dots represent people all over the world and the people coming together for Church. People are also represented through the horseshoes on the right of the painting. Wirrimanu is located in the top left-hand corner, Mulan in the top right-hand corner, Ringer Soak in the bottom right hand corner and Kurrurungku in the bottom left-hand corner.