National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
Preliminary Program (stc)
Presenters and Facilitators
Registration
Monday 9 September 2024
2pm Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
NATSICC Welcome
Housekeeping and retreat overview
Opening Mass (Fr Steve Fletcher MGL)
4pm Yarning Circles
An opportunity to meet other retreat participants
6pm Dinner
7pm Prayers by the Fire
Tuesday 10 September 2024
9.00am Morning Prayer
9.30am Session 2: Laudato Si (Beth Riolo and Karan Taylor)
10.30am Morning Tea
11am Walk/Pilgrimage to the Grotto and Benediction
Rosary
1 pm Lunch
2pm Session 3: Silence, stillness and prayer (Archbishop Prowse)
3.30pm Afternoon Tea
4pm Elective Activity: Yarning Circles | Private Reflection | Adoration
5.30pm Quiet Time (Bishops and Priests available for confession/Reconciliation)
6pm Dinner
7pm Evening Prayer - Lectio Divina (Beth Riolo)
Wednesday 11 September 2024 9am Morning Prayer 9.20am Aboriginal Labyrinth 10.30am Morning Tea 11am Session 4: Lord, Teach us how to Pray (Fr Dave Tremble MGL) 1pm Lunch 1.30pm Session 5: Healing through Art Workshop (Sarah Richards) 3pm Afternoon tea 3.30pm Session 6: Aboriginal Spirituality and Catholic Faith (Anne Dennis) 5.15pm Break for afternoon 6pm Dinner 7pm Gather around campfire Thursday 12 September 2024 9.00am Morning Prayer - Sisters of Mercy Morning Prayer 9.30am Session 2: Feedback and sharing 10.30am Morning Tea 11am Closing Mass 12.30pm Lunch Delegates depart
RETREAT PRESENTERS
Most Rev. Archbishop Christopher Prowse
Christopher Prowse was appointed by Pope Francis as Archbishop to the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese on September 12, 2013. Archbishop Christopher’s installation Mass at St. Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra was held a few months later, on November 19. This was a joyous and reverent celebration marking the start of a new season for the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Prowse brings many gifts to the Archdiocese and reaches out to those of all walks of life, young and old, lay and religious, to draw people closer to God and the Church. Archbishop Christopher has a long association with First Australians having chaired the Bishops Commission for Relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and worked closely with the ACM in Melbourne as a Priest.
Dr. Caroline Hughes - Welcome and Smoking Ceremony
Caroline Hughes is a Ngunnawal Elder and is a strong Ngunnawal woman who believes and strives towards the best outcomes for community. Caroline is leading the revitalisation of the Ngunnawal language and Co-Chairs the Dhawura Ngunnawal Caring for Country Committee - natural resource management of the ACT.
Caroline has been an active member of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn for many years.
Caroline has worked in the adult education and community sectors for over 30 plus years as a practitioner, manager and leader of programs, community development and client support services.
Sarah Richards - Healing through art
A proud Ngiyampaa woman, Sarah's journey began on Gadigal land (Sydney). Her formative years were spent on Wiradjuri (Griffith) and Yugambeh (Gold Coast) Country, culminating in her move to Ngunnawal country (ACT) in 2012. From a young age, she was captivated by the world of creativity, with painting emerging as her preferred medium of artistic expression.
Her passion for art eventually crossed paths with her commerce degree in 2018, transforming her hobby into a thriving small business to create Marrawuy Journeys. By August 2021, Sarah had fully committed herself to nurturing Marrawuy Journeys and its vision.
Fundamentally, Sarah believes in the healing power of individual growth and how it can contribute to the larger healing journey of the nation. She is driven by the conviction that personal healing can bring about collective healing, making each Marrawuy Journey a step towards a more harmonious future.
“I believe that we all have something to heal from and if we can heal as individuals, it will contribute to our healing as a country.”
Anne Dennis - Aboriginal Spirituality and Catholic Faith
Gamilaraay woman Anne Dennis, was nominated for the NSW Woman of Excellence Award, is an elected councillor for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, co-chair of the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations and a lifetime member of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.
The former teacher, who has lived most of her life in Walgett, is a firm believer in the role of culturally safe education in improving education, health and social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
A strong Catholic, Anne lives the Gospel through her commitment to her community and others.
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
