30 young Indigenous Catholics attended the 2010 Leadership Gathering in Brisbane from 13-16 May. The Australian Catholic University were kind enough to sponsor the event by allowing us to use their facilities and their staff were very generous with their time.
The group was made up of youth ranging from 16 – 30 and from remote areas such as Santa Teresa and Urban centres like Perth and Melbourne.
The focus of the Gathering was to listen and share with the future of our Church. In doing so we held workshops on developing social networks such as Facebook and listening to renowned Elders Evelyn Parkin and Joan Hendriks. They explained how Religion and Indigenous Spirituality go hand in hand.
Sean Choolburra spoke to the group. Sean was a member of Bangarra dance company and has been featured on various television programs. He is a very positive role model for our youth. Elwyn Henaway from ACU was kind enough to take the group on a cultural tour of the local area. There are very special places very close to ACU.
Workshop Outcomes
The important outcomes of our workshops were:
How can we get youth to come back to the Church?
The following suggestions were made by the group of 30 Young Indigenous Catholics from all States and Territories of Australia (exc. TAS, ACT):
Combine Church ways with our own local indigenous stories
Promotion and community engagement strategies between school and parishes of Catholic NAIDOC masses/celebrations open to all Schools
Generalisations of what Catholic School and Parishes offer – concession of school fees (stereotyping)
Relevant wording of readings – translation into language
Allocating roles and jobs within the mass to youth
Social events
Find out what made Indigenous youth leave? Acknowledgement of these issues
Use of technology
Networking between youth groups and organisations
Asking young people to be involved
Interaction with young people – not just talk at
Young people to be listened to – some difficulty in terms of culture of elders
Music, games, stories about the Bible – keep it simple
Youth group/ministry in parishes
Start with the tweens now, the 10-12 years audience
Involvement of family members, i.e. parents
Sharing our pride, spiritual beliefs to rebuild sense of pride
Awareness and flexibility within community as to most effective times to schedule mass – i.e. not when footy is on
Retreat on country to share culture and faith, bush trips
Support opportunities for men’s and women’s gatherings separately
What can I do?
The responses to this question:
Start a youth group
Encourage young people to get involved
Talk to the parish about what youth wants
Share my story and culture
Be a role model against racism
Invite a friend/family/member
Welcome all new people, so they feel at home
Donate money for offering
Contribute a prayer/to begin & end mass
Help form a group
• Donate goods for less fortunate
Being positive role models to others by going to church and being involved with the church
Target hang out areas
General invitations out to all students and all local Indigenous organizations for any church event – use technology
Movie night
Help youth with their manners and narrowing down on how they use the church terminology and explain to youth in an easy manner of the bible, instead of them using irrelevant manners towards the church and other youth.
Volunteering – time & knowledge, music talents
Start a church youth band
Sharing cross-cultural relations/stories/traditions
Ask young people who go to church to invite other young people
Get young people together to start a youth group
Promote to others that it’s a great experience
Liaise with the church & youth as to what type of activities they want & what the church wants
Add more indigenous aspect
Go bush and invite Father to talk alongside an elder about the change of kid to man
Engage our community e.g. have BBQ after doing activities
The event was very successful with hopes that it becomes an annual event.
Downloads
Youth Leadership Gathering Proceedings pdf