Indigenous Peoples

National Sorry Day in Australia

National Sorry Day in Australia

St Madeleine Sophie would have approved of Sorry Day being so close to her Feast Day, but it does mean that we gather for two significant liturgies on consecutive days at Stuartholme. On Thursday we gathered in the Chapel for a prayerful Mass in honour of Sophie followed by celebrations on the Oval. The following day, we gathered again in a more solemn mood for our annual National Sorry Day Liturgy. Our Liturgy was introduced by reminding us of its special significance this year. “In 2017, we reflect on two significant anniversaries in Australia’s reconciliation journey – 50 years since the 1967 referendum, and 25 years since the historic Mabo decision.

The Gathering Place in Redfern

Aboriginal flag painted on a wall in Redfern

Sr Esmey Herscovitch RSCJ lives in a small house called the Gathering Place in Redfern.  She says,“I’m learning all the time. We Religious of the Sacred Heart describe ourselves as an educational congregation. And education is not just one way, its two-way, and I learn from the locals here.” “I learn from their capacity to wait, their resilience, and their appreciation of what’s given them, their fidelity to their families…I’ve learned to love them.” “I’ve also learned to love their music. I’m coming to understand the culture a little. It’s a very rich culture and many of us don’t realize that.” Read more about Sr Esmey’s quiet ministry of presence and friendship