On a Saturday morning in early May, 67 parishioners from across the Diocese gathered at the Therry Centre in East Maitland. They came to listen, and to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander peoples in the spirit of understanding, shared faith and reconciliation.

The gathering was hosted by the Listen to the Heart: Moving Forward Team, a group of parishioners from the Maitland Catholic Region committed to walking alongside First Nations peoples. The day was led by two presenters: Fr Darryl Mackie, a Wiradjuri man and Parish Priest of the Lakeside Pastoral Region, and Aunty Wanda Smith, a Ngurabul Elder, Gomeroi and Torres Strait Islander woman, language practitioner, and director of the Guwaagi Gamangi Ngurrambaa Aboriginal Corporation for Language and Culture.

Their stories were different but deeply connected.

Fr Darryl, Parish Priest of the Lakeside Pastoral Region (Boolaroo, Booragul, Morisset and Toronto) proudly identifies as a Wiradjuri man. He has led research into improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with Notre Dame University and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.

Aunty Wanda is a Ngurabul Elder, and a Gomeroi and Torres Strait Islander woman who resides and works on Wonnarua Country.  She is an Aboriginal Education Worker and importantly a Language Practitioner and Director of the Guwaagi Gamangi Ngurrambaa Aboriginal Corporation for Language and Culture. Currently she is writing and translating Yugumbul and Ngurabul dreamtime stories into a movie which will be used for language revitalisation and act as an historical reference.

Both Fr Darryl and Aunty Wanda are members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Ministry Council.

Fr Darryl shared his story including his work in Aboriginal medical research. He spoke of the significance of five key dates such as NAIDOC week and western spirituality and its relationship to Aboriginal spirituality.  Fr Darryl invited participants to share their thoughts in small groups and invited questions from the floor. He also provided an update on the work of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Ministry Council.

Aunty Wanda also shared her story, growing up during the time of the Stolen Generation highlighting the huge impact on her life and the life of her family. She spoke of finding solace and peace in the Church and her strong commitment to her faith.  Importantly she explained the difference between Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement, the significance of Country to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spirituality, and the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spirituality and Catholicism.

 

Following her presentation, she invited participants to close their eyes and listen to music. In that quiet moment, many found themselves connecting with her message in a way words alone could not achieve.

The responses afterwards reflected the impact of the day. Participants spoke about discovering a “strong, close connection between Catholic Spirituality and Indigenous Spirituality.” One person wrote that the experience “reinforced that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spirituality and Catholic faith co-exist without conflict and enriches my faith.” Another reflected that Christians and Catholics still have much to learn from Aboriginal spirituality and its deep understanding of connection, reflection, and belonging.

For many, Aunty Wanda’s closing meditation was especially moving. One participant described it as “a wonderful and practical way of demonstrating the meaning of Country to non-Indigenous peoples” and spoke of feeling connected to something larger than themselves. Others reflected on how easily people forget their own dependence on and connection to the natural world.

Alongside the gratitude and encouragement, there was also honesty. Several participants acknowledged that we still have important work to do in becoming more welcoming to Aboriginal people, moving beyond symbolic gestures, and continuing conversations with those who were not present on the day.

In 1986, Pope St John Paul II said in Alice Springs that the Church in Australia would not fully become what Christ intended until Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had made their contribution to its life, and until that contribution was recognised and received by others.

In East Maitland this May, 67 people took a meaningful step in that direction. The challenge now is to continue to take the next one.

Thank you to Helen Belcher for her valuable contribution to this article.