National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
Holy Spirit in this Land - Assembly Program
The NATSICC Assembly is a combination of presentations, workshops and opportunities to share and listen to each other. Moving at a relaxed pace, delegates will have time to to build friendships and networks as well as participate in Yarning Circles following workshops and presentations.
The program for each day is below and a pdf version is available here.
Please note that the Youth Program is still under construction and will be released soon.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
10am Registration opens
12.30pm Opening Ceremony
Welcome to Country
Opening Mass Hosted by the Queensland Catholic Community
Welcome from NATSICC and Catholic Bishops
NATSICC Presentation
2pm – 2.30pm Afternoon tea
Keynote Presentations
2.30 – 3.30pm Aboriginal Spirituality
Dulcie Isaro
Dulcie Isaro is a well-respected Elder, storyteller and social activist. For many years Isaro has been involved in Indigenous affairs and assisting her people, particularly in northern Queensland. She is the daughter of Willie Thaiday, a much-loved and respected Torres Strait Islander man. Isaro has been prominent in highlighting failed government assimilation policies on Palm Island and continues to fight for the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She is also a long-standing member of Community Justice Groups (Townsville area). Isaro entered the convent of the Order of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Bowral, New South Wales, in 1961, and with the Order trained as a teacher in Sydney and taught at Catholic schools in Papua New Guinea from 1965 to 1972.
3.45pm – 4.45pm Torres Strait Island Spirituality
Toby Whaleboat
Toby is a Torres Strait Islander man that has a deep connection to his culture. A talented musician, Toby uses music as a medium to share the ways in which his Traditional Culture melds with, and compliments his Christian faith.
4.45pm – 5pm Questions/Comments
Closing Prayer: Torres Strait
5.45pm Dinner
9am Opening Prayer (Vic/Tas)
9.15 am Keynote Address - Uluru Statement From the Heart
We are entering a very important time in the life of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. A referendum to enact the Statement and its core principles is a very real possibility within the next 12 - 24 months. As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics, there is a responsibility to be informed on the Statement and to be vocal to the wider Catholic Church.
Dean Parkin - Director, From the Heart
Having been closely involved in the process that resulted in the historic Uluru Statement From The Heart, Dean continues to advocate for constitutional and structural reform as Director of From the Heart.
Dean is from the Quandamooka peoples of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in Queensland. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Journalism) from the University of Queensland and a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Melbourne. He is a Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Fellowship for Social Equity and is an ex-officio member of the Business Council of Australia’s Indigenous Engagement Taskforce.
10.15am Questions
10.30 - 11am Morning Tea
11am – 11.45pm Yarning Circles
11.45 – 12.30 Reporting Back
12.30 - 1.15pm Lunch
1.15pm Keynote Address - Healing through Country
Louise Campbell
Louise is passionate about promoting awareness of the Aboriginal story and its links with the Christian story. This passion has led to involvement in many projects and initiatives: the Awabakal Dreaming Stories Kit; Aboriginal Stations of the Cross and Easter Story with Richard Campbell; involvement in World Youth Day 2008 at parish, diocesan and national level (Aboriginal Committee member for Cardinal Pell and
Bishop Anthony Fisher), and the development of education programs and resources with an Aboriginal perspective.
Louise is employed by the Catholic Schools Office Maitland Newcastle.
2pm Questions
2.15pm – 2.45pm Afternoon tea
2.45 – 4pm Concurrent Workshops
4.15 – 5.30pm Concurrent Workshops
5.45 Closing Prayer: NSW
6 - 7pm Dinner
Assembly Day Trip
Morning Session: Departing St Patrick's at 8am
Afternoon Session: Departing St Patrick's at 2.30pm
Departing from St Patrick’s College, delegates will be hosted by NATSICC and the Townsville Catholic Education Office for the Jezzine Barracks Coastal Walk. The 15-hectare heritage precinct commemorates the military and Aboriginal heritage of the Kissing Point headland through 32 specially commissioned public artworks, extensive interpretive signage and the restoration of significant elements of the Kissing Point Fort complex. Large-scale landscaping works have also opened up the area for public use.
To ensure that each group has the best possible experience on the coastal walk, the Assembly is offering two sessions - Morning and Afternoon. The morning session will take place as the sun is just above the horizon and the day is springing to life. The afternoon session provides a different aspect to the Coastal Walk as the shadows grow longer and creation begin to slow for the evening.
Please note that the walk requires a level of mobility that allows you to manage inclines and for extended periods on you feet.
For those that cannot do the walk, or would rather stay at the College, there will be activities at St Patrick's for most of the day.
Dinner at 6pm back at St Patrick's
8.30am Opening Prayer: Healing Liturgy (Kimberley)
10am Youth Keynote (tba)
10.45am Questions
11 - 11.30am Morning tea
11.30am – 12.30pm Yarning Circles
12.30 – 1.15pm Reporting back
1.15pm – 2pm Lunch
2 – 3.30pm Keynote Workshop: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in the Church
Facilitated by NATSICC / Catholic Mission
Inspired by the joint NATSICC / Catholic Mission Community Catechist program, this session will provide an engaging opportunity to discuss what works and what could work in empowering leaders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Communities.
3.30pm - 4pm Afternoon Tea
4 - 5.15pm Keynote Address: Laudato Si
Laudato Si’ is an encyclical of Pope Francis published in May 2015. It focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth. The encyclical’s subtitle, “Care for Our Common Home,” reinforces these key themes.. In this session Sabrina, Matt and Sr Liz will provide an interesting overview of the Encyclical and ways in which First Nations knowledge of the environment can be used to care for the gift of creation.
Sabrina Ann Stevens (NATSICC, Caritas Australia)
Matt Brown (Catholic Schools Office Lismore)
Sr Liz Weimers (Good Samaritans)
5.30 - 6.30 Youth Liturgy
No Dinner provided - free evening
9am Opening Prayer: Northern Territory and South Australia
9.15am Keynote Presentations
Fruits of the Holy Spirit Fr Steve Fletcher MGL
Fr Steve has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for many years. His gentle approach and genuine care for our people is evident in the acceptance and love that the community has for him. Fr Steve is will share on the ways in which the Holy Spirit works within all of us and reflects on the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the week of the Assembly.
Work of the Holy Spirit- Lorraine Erlandson
Lorraine is an active member of the St Martin de Porres Community in Darwin, a former NATSICC NT Councillor and recent recipient of the 2022 Service to Community Award.
The Holy Spirit has played an integral role in Lorraine's life and in this presentation she will share more widely the ways in which it has shaped and formed her faith and outlook on life.
10.30 - 11am - Morning Tea
11- 11.30am Bishop Tim Harris
Our host for the week, Townsville's Bishop Tim Harris is an ardent supporter of First Nations Catholic both in his Diocese, and nationally. We are blessed to have Bishop Tim provide the last keynote for the week and conclude an enriching and engaging event
11.45am - 12.15pm Video of week
12.30pm Closing Mass
2pm – Optional Lunch
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
'The peak Indigenous advisory body to the Catholic Church'
80C Payneham Rd.
Stepney SA 5069
www.natsicc.org.au | craig@natsicc.org.au | 08 8363 2963