Newsletter 8: 25 May 2021
Dear Colleagues,
NATIONAL SORRY DAY AND NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2021
On Wednesday 26 May, Australians come together in prayer and reflection for National Sorry Day. As children we are all taught the importance of an apology. It is a powerful, empathetic restoration of relationship. As Marist educators, in our work with students, some of our finest “teaching moments” are in drawing our young ones to offer and accept appropriate and sincere apologies. National Sorry Day acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture. National Reconciliation Week (1) celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. A poignant and heartfelt expression of the sorrow experienced by our indigenous brothers and sisters is beautifully captured by the eminent Australian Archie Rowe in his famous song Took the Children Away (2).
National Sorry Day has been observed since 1998, one year after the Bringing Them Home report was presented in the Australian Federal Parliament. This report detailed the impact of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. National Sorry Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the hardship faced when children were taken into institutional and foster care by governments and church agencies and placed with non-Indigenous families. These Stolen Generations suffered greatly from being removed from their loved ones at such an early age, and for many the scars were life-long. National Sorry Day is also an opportunity to “acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation.”
Our Marist schools across the country cherish highly valued and strong relationships with many indigenous communities. Through our Marist boarding schools, we are privileged to work with indigenous families from many remote areas of Australia. May the following prayer (3) unite us during this coming week and increase our resolve to educate in reconciliation for all Australians.
Prayer
Almighty and loving God,
you who created ALL people in your image.
Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past.
You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again
so that sins will be forgiven.
We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession
of land, language, lore, culture, and family kinship that
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.
We live in faith that all people will rise
from the depths of despair and hopelessness.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones,
through the separation of children from their families.
We are sorry and ask God’s forgiveness.
Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless, and inflicted and heal their spirits.
In your mercy and compassion walk with us
as we continue our journey of healing
to create a future that is just and equitable.
Lord, you are our hope.
Amen.
Yours sincerely
Dr Frank Malloy
National Director
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1. Further information about National Reconciliation Week this year is available on the Reconciliation Australia website
2. https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/event/national-sorry-day/2021-05-26/
3. Aboriginal and Islander Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia, (NATSIEC) 2003.