NATSICC chairperson Elsie Heiss said the assembly was a way “to encourage youth” and “to revive Catholicism in our communities”.
More than 250 indigenous Catholics from as far away as Western Australia and Darwin attended NATSICC’s 7th National Assembly which ran until Friday (September 25), carrying as its theme “The Holy Spirit is in this Land”.
They included representatives of various indigenous ministries, councils, religious, clergy, youth and community groups.
Brisbane archdiocese’s Murri Ministry hosted the assembly.
Keynote address at the event was provided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma.
Archbishop Bathersby told those gathered at the Bardon Convention Centre for the opening Mass on September 20, he would always remember the warm and enthusiastic indigenous response to the visit of Pope John Paul II to Alice Springs in 1986.
He also recalled the Pope’s response to this welcome.
“John Paul II spelt out clearly the importance of our indigenous people for the wellbeing and vitality of Australia, with words that some of you would have heard and all of you would have remembered,” the archbishop said.
“Among other words of wisdom, the Pope said: ‘The Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be unless you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.'”
The assembly opened with a Welcome to Country by representatives of the Turrbal people, elders Aunty Estelle and Aunty Melita.
Assembly highlights in the following days included workshops on cross cultural awareness and the role of deacons as well as the announcement of an honour roll in recognition of elders.
A healing Mass and visits to engage with the history of indigenous Catholics at Cherbourg and Stradbroke Island were also conducted.
Ms Heiss said the assembly had been a special time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics.
“We’re planning to encourage our youth. The assembly this year is based around youth,” she said.
“This year, we also are honouring the elders with an honour roll ‘Celebrating the Spirit’.
“Many of these elders have been around in support of NATSICC for a long time.
“This particular year, we are looking at past NATSICC councillors.
“We are acknowledging them, and giving them a badge for their work over the years.”
Ms Heiss said the assembly was also an important means of reviving Catholicism amongst indigenous people.
“We are coming together to celebrate who we are as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics,” she said.
“It’s the one occasion when we can all come together in song and worship.”
