THE RECONCILIATION
CHURCH
LA PEROUSE ABORIGINAL CATHOLIC MINISTRY
We have a Mass once a month, at 11.00 am, usually on the first Sunday of each month. Priests celebrating our masses are invited by us and have been involved with Aboriginal people in their past work. The Mass is open to all, and we encourage reconciliation and give support to Aboriginal Catholics. After each Mass we have a lunch where people bring a plate to share and non-Aboriginal Catholics meet Aboriginal Catholics. Educating the non-Aboriginal Catholics about Aboriginal Spirituality and history promotes understanding and a strong sense of community. Our welcoming attitude has led to more Aboriginal Baptisms and First Holy Communions. The La Perouse Aboriginal community has suffered a lot of grief this year, our church decided to hold an Aboriginal Healing service at the in November 2004. This service was very successful and we believe it has drawn more Aboriginal people to the church. We have had two funerals at the church this year, and people often comment about the warmth and comforting spiritual feeling they have in the church. Catholic schools, both primary and secondary, have come to the Reconciliation Church at La Perouse to participate in interactive workshops on reconciliation and Aboriginal Spirituality. We have had up to 170 children and their teachers in our little church at one time for these workshops. Our team at the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, La Perouse consists of Mrs. Elsie Heiss, Coordinator, Father Peter Carroll, Chaplain and Cate Wallace, office assistant. Mrs. Heiss and Father Carroll often have meetings with local Aboriginal elders to discuss ways in which we, as an Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, can help strengthen and support our Aboriginal Catholic community
• To give Aboriginal aspirations a voice
in the Sydney Archdiocese. |