Volume 17, Issue 18

The ‘Pass It On Message Stick’ Relay will culminate in Alice Springs at the celebrations for the 20th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1986. Twenty-seven of the organisers of the Message Stick Relay in Victoria – the Catholics for Australian Reconciliation (CFAR) – are gathering from across the dioceses for the ‘Campfire in the Heart’ Reconciliation Pilgrimage.

Pilgrims begin their journey to Alice Springs. Photo: Charles Balnaves

By following the history of the people who formed the Little Flower Mission and learning about the creation stories of the Arrente people and their more recent history, we hope to grow in our understanding of the richness and Australian-ness of our Catholic faith.

On 1 October, we return to Alice Springs to participate in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Commission Assembly, culminating in a Mass in Blatherskyte Park to celebrate Pope John Paul II’s historic speech calling for justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and for their contribution to the Church to be joyfully accepted. Participating in the assembly will help us to better understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and their contribution to the Church.

Finally, the pilgrimage will help us to rejoice at the Spirit-filled success of the ‘Pass It On Message Stick’ Relay in Victoria. Since its launch on 5 June, 2005, the Relay has brought a living symbol of the Aboriginality of our country to over 600 Catholic parishes and schools who have acted as custodians. Through this relay, Aboriginality has touched the lives of over 100,000 practicing Catholics in Victoria.

We ask you to pray for us as we journey.