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MURRI MINISTRY ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE 1993 - 2003 84 PARK ROAD/5 ABINGDON ST WOOLLOONGABBA QLD 4102 TELEPHONE/FACSIMILE 07 3891 1931 murriministry@bne.catholic.net.
Murri Ministry Is -
Murri Ministry provides pastoral and spiritual assistance, consistent with Aboriginal culture, tradition and insights within the community. Murri Ministry is also involved in community liaison work which includes community / home visits and referrals. Other activities include awareness raising, empowering local communities, sacramental preparations, taking part in Murri celebrations and working towards reconciliation.
The welfare of Aboriginal youth is a priority of Murri Ministry work. Youth leadership skills, discovery of cultural identity and enhancing self-esteem Youths are visited in detention centres where Pastoral care and religious services are provided. They are encouraged to maintain links with the community and plan for a positive future. The vision of Murri Ministry is expressed through: Spirituality and Culture, the Gospel of Jesus, Care & Compassion, Social Justice, Dreaming and History, A Strong Positive Image, Faith & Action, Effective Teamwork, Positive Relations with Non-Indigenous People. Sacramental Programs
Murri Ministry provides other sacramental preparation to children, youths and adults. Educational resources are provided in the preparation for the sacraments. Resources include audio-visual materials, workbooks and activities and religious literature for each candidate. This includes stationary, development of photographs and photocopying. Resources necessary for the sacramental ritual are also provided, for example, oils, candles, certificates, (medals and sashes show children who are receiving sacraments within the parish or church community), artefacts, audio-visual and human resources. Regular communication after sacraments are received requires further stationary, photocopying and postage. Sometimes travel expenses are included. Other travel expenses are provided by the Sisters of St Joseph for pastoral visits to the Murri community. A Bible Study group is also provided with bibles, and study books from Wontulp-Bi-Buya.
Youth on a weekly basis visiting approximately eighty-eight youth and has done so for the past 7 years. During this time there are also monthly prayer services and weekly pastoral services along with other church celebrations on a regular basis throughout the year. The youth are involved in the religious services by participating in the readings actions and preparing their own style of music on special occasions, along with the traditional church music.
Murri ministry is on a 24hr call out to the youth detention centre for emergencies. We also provide pastoral support for staff on a personal basis. Pembroke funds enables Murri Ministry to provide the resources required for pastoral care visits. The death of a young person can be very emotional and affecting not only to the workers but also the wider community and other youth within the Youth Correctional Centres along with the Adult Correctional Centres. Murri Ministry plays a major role within the Aboriginal Community in enabling memorial services, service booklets, music and liturgical resources. Murri Ministry also provides a follow up to these activities.
Community Faith Gatherings
Visitors
to Murri Ministry DEANERY VISITS RELIGIOUS SISTERS &
BROTHERS These relationships take many forms. Sometimes a team member may serve on a committee of the congregation. Sometimes we may be asked to help organise an acknowledgement of the land at the opening of one of their institutions. Plaques, gardens and other signs have been erected. This may mean discovering the traditional owners, local Elders and local Murris. NATSICC God is Reigning in Our World (Synod Song) In the dark hours earth is sleeping, Under stars the curlews cry; Overhead the Cross keeps station, Guardian of our southern sky. Breaking day will light the waters, Touched with sun, the leaves unfurl: In the starlight, in the dayspring, God is reigning in our world. The Synod Synod 2003 Regular meetings were held, but sometimes postponed because of deaths and funerals in the community. Visits, taking other Murris with me, were made to the edges of the Diocese and packets of Synod materials were posted to individuals. It is not really our way to engage alone with written surveys. People were encouraged to nominate for the Synod. Some people who had been active in murri church business in the past did not want to be active in this because they had drifted away from church, age, health, past hurts or still in a grieving process because of recent loss of spouse or family. Further energy was spent on finding willing participants for nomination with the risk of family business causing them also to withdraw. I am very aware of my accountability to the community that gave time and shared personal feelings with us during this process. Accountability could be shown by printing Murri (Aboriginal) responses. This would also be a resource for future ministry. Whilst it has been exhausting at times, I am happy to have been involved in this exercise. From meeting other murris from the Catholic faith supports me also in my faith. Although murris place many challenges for this Synod we know Gods Holy Spirit will enrich the church at this time. Archdiocesan & Community
Involvements Our agency has recently been included in the Women’s’ Network of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Ecumenical Council (NATSIEC) of the National Council of Churches Australia (NCCA) The Pastoral Worker has also been part of several Murri community organisations boards over these ten years, serving and then making way for others. Gathering of the Voices All information and photos courtesy of The Murri Ministry |
