YEAR 2 CLASS PRAYER CELEBRATION AND CHURCH VISIT

On Friday, our delightful Year 2 students and their teachers ventured to St Joseph’s Church for a prayer celebration and afternoon tea with Fr Jim and their families. Their prayer focused on friendship and the value of building great relationships. All students spoke and sang with great energy and spirit. Well done Year 2.

National Reconciliation Week commemorates the historic Referendum of May 27, 1967, in which Australians voted to recognize Indigenous Australians as part of the population and granted the Commonwealth Government the authority to legislate on their behalf.

It also commemorates key milestones in Australia's journey toward justice and recognition for Indigenous peoples. Including:

• the landmark 1992 Mabo High Court decision - affirming the existence of native title;
• the April 1997 Bringing Them Home report, investigating the forced separation of Indigenous Australian children from their families;
• the 2008 formal Apology by the Prime Minister to Indigenous communities for these historical removals.

Each of these milestones symbolically acknowledged 

the injustices endured by Indigenous peoples in Australia and underscored the need for meaningful action. Over the past sixty years, non-Indigenous Australians have increasingly recognized the violent history of European settlement and the deep-rooted discrimination faced by Indigenous communities, while Indigenous Australians have spoken more assertively about the ongoing challenges that need to be addressed.

This year's Reconciliation theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects both determination and uncertainty about our current position. It acknowledges that true reconciliation remains a distant goal, requiring us to build a bridge that honours our journey while forging a path forward. History reminds us that progress is often slow and challenging, marked by setbacks that demand reflection, renewed commitment, and lessons learned from past disappointments and betrayals.

Prayer for Reconciliation

God of all creation,

as we journey together in this Great Southern Land,

we pray for healing, forgiveness and unity,

creating a path of good will, with justice and compassion.

Jesus, through the power of your love, you have given us the courage, wisdom and strength to share our gifts and talents in humility.

In peace and understanding we reconcile with each other.

Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received. Allow your Spirit to wash over us and give us strength to walk together as one.

Amen

This Reconciliation Church prayer was written by a small group of Aboriginal Elder women and Reconciliation Church staff members in 2014.

Carey Twidale