National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
Western Australia is the largest State in Australia. Its size is matched only by the diversity of its traditional owners.
According to the last census, WA is home to nearly 20,000 Indigenous Catholics. The highest percentage of Catholics is in Broome where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders make up 61% of all Catholics. Geraldton comes in second where 13% of Catholics are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
For a summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Statistics drawn from the 2016 Census (Inlcuding stats for each NSW Diocese), please click here.
Remote communities throughout WA practice their traditional languages and incorporate their own cultural symbols and rituals into the Mass.
In Perth, the ACM is located on Baker St. It is a Perth institution and visits 100's of people that are in prison or in hospital. The Mass in the Park has proven to be extremely popular and always sees a large congregation.
NATSICC Councillor
Shirley Quaresimin is the NATSICC Deputy Chairperson. Shirley is a Nyikina person from the Kimberley and was involved in the establishment of NATSICC over 20 years ago. She brings vast experience of regional and urban Aboriginal Catholics to NATSICC.
At just 8 years old, Shirley attended the first Catholic School in Derby and it is here that the Sisters of St. John of God and the Pallottine Fathers played a part in developing her faith journey. The Sisters prepared Shirley for life, to have the ability to be part of church and for young Aboriginal girls a message/creed for living.
Shirley was inspired by her Grandmother Emily who taught her how to understand her Aboriginal spirituality and Catholic faith. She was also a Catholic but did not lose her own Spirituality.
Ministries
Perth
ACM Perth
5 Baker Ave, Perth WA 6000, Australia
PO Box 8111, Perth WA 6849, Australia
Phone (08) 9328 7529
Fax (08) 9227 0732
Email acmperth@westnet.com.au
Kora Centre Incorporated
54 Lawrence St, Bayswater WA 6053, Australia
Phone (08) 9271 9031
Fax (08) 9271 9031
Ruah - Kambarang Place
GPO Box 2828, West Perth WA 6872, Australia
Phone (08) 9328 7562
Fax (08) 9228 4674
Email administration@ruah.com.au
Website www.ruah.com.au
Daydawn Advocacy Centre
5 Aberdeen St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
PO Box 8750, Perth Business Centre WA 6849, Australia
Phone (08) 9218 8035
Fax (08) 9218 8027
Email daydawn@perthcatholic.org.au
Website www.daydawn.org.au
Geraldton
Yanayi Aboriginal Catholic Centre
Centre of Parish Life and Mission
PO Box 2044, Geraldton 6531
Phone: 99642716
Fax 08 9964 7171
Pallotine Community - Geraldton
Marnie Ryan YAS
Phone: 08 9939 1065
Email: marnie55@westnet.com.au
Daughters of Charity
419 Sherlock St., Roebourne WA 6718
Phone: 08 9182 1058; Fax 08 9172 2865
Email: thriftdc@westnet.com.au
Sr. Lorraine Thrift; Sr. Marie O'Brien.
Bunbury
Diocese of Bunbury
5 Brend-tor Street
PO Box 2005
Bunbury WA 6230
Phone: (08) 9721 0500
Fax: (08) 9721 3216
Broome
Diocese of Broome
13 Barker Street
PO Box 76, Broome WA 6725
Phone: 08 9192 1060
Fax: 08 9192 2136
Email: info@broomediocese.org
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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
