NATSICC Chairperson, Mrs. Elsie Heiss, mother of five and Grandmother to 4, was born into the Wiradjuri Nation of New South Wales. Mrs. Heiss has represented New South Wales as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Councillor since 1999. Mrs. Heiss would like to see a stronger commitment from the Catholic Church in their support of Aboriginal people, especially with acceptance of cultures and their practices and believes that the deep spiritual beliefs of Aboriginal people have much to bring to the Catholic Church. Elsie co-ordinates the Aboriginal Catholic / Church ministries at La Perouse in the Sydney Archdiocese and was an Aboriginal Representative at the Synod of Oceania in 1998.
 
       
     
       
   

Aboriginal Sunday 2005 - La Perouse
 
 
     
   
Cate Wallace and Elsie Heiss

ACM La Perouse

The ACM is housed at the Reconciliation Church at La Perouse. NSW NATSICC Councillor and Secretary Elsie Heiss coordinates the Ministry with the help of Cate Wallace. For more information click on the photo of Cate and Elsie left.
   

Members of the ACM Penrith
Photo: ACM Penrith Website
Penrith ACM

In their own words: We minister in an * Aboriginal way and under the * Leadership and * Decision - making of the * Aboriginal Community.

We strive to assist, nourish and facilitate the Spiritual Care, Sharing and Enrichment of Aboriginal People especially, but not exclusively, those who are Catholic. Our Ministry is supported by the Diocese of Parramatta. Click here to visit the ACM Penrith website.
   
  ACM Diocese of Maitland - Newcastle
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle fosters the spiritual, cultural and social development of indigenous Australians.
Click here to visit their website.
   
ACM Alexandria
The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry is part of the general work of ministry by the Sydney Archdiocese.
Click here to visit their website.
 
       
     
   

Diocese

Catholics

Population

% Catholic

Indigenous Catholics
Sydney
589.012
1,825,012
32.17
4009
Armidale
42,280
161,734
26.14
3070
Bathurst
64,936
207,795
31.25
3104
Broken Bay
187.854
835,043
22.50
1571
Lismore
100,067
421,216
23.76
4046
Maitland / Newcasle
140,882
579,856
24.3
3069
Paramatta
311,573
909,370
34.26
4060
Wagga Wagga
62,000
206,000
30.10
1581
Wilcannia-Forbes
36,801
121,816
30.21
3720
Wollongong
178,550
626,900
28.48
3371