Some 68 people gathered in St Augustine's Hall to hear Vicki Clark of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry give a talk on Indigenous Spirituality on Monday, 13 June, 2013.
Vicki Clark is a descendent of the Mutthi Mutthi people from south-west New South Wales. She is the Coordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in Melbourne.
Aboriginal Spirituality starts with the land - come from the land - spirit is always connected to the homeland.
Australia was comprised by many aboriginal tribes; the majority of aboriginal peoples lived in New South Wales. A map was shown - a map of language groups.
Vicki Clark (who is co-chair of Reconciliation Victoria) presented the indigenous ceremonies which accompany the stages of human development and the process of inducting a young person into the full life of his/her community. There was a striking similarity with the sacramental theology.
Responses were given women of different faith traditions. Fatima al-Qarachy of Uniting Care Cutting Edge responded for the Islamic Communities, Rev Helen Malcolm of St Augustine's Church responded for the Christian Communities; Ms Jagdish Mahinder Singh, CALD coordinator at Maguire College gave a response from the perspectives of the Sikh Community.
Mrs Fatima al-Qarachy spoke own experience of coming to terms with a new culture and the difficulties that poses, not just for the migrants but also for their children. This was a reminder of the difficult challenges which Indigenous Australians have been facing over the past 200 years.
In her response, Rev Helen Malcolm made comments comments beginning with a comparison of the birth of an indigenous child in very humble surroundings with that of Christ in the stable quite a marvellous introduction. From that Rev Helen Malcolm went on to note the shared understanding within indigenous spiritualities and Christianity of a shared creation spirituality recognising the first revelation through living realities, earth, moon, stars – all creation.
Ms Jagdish Malwinder Singh shared that McGuire College celebrates Sorry Day as a school. Ms Singh told that she found Vicki's talk relevant to the lives of the students at the school. Ms Sing went on to say that that religion and culture are tied together and influence one another. Sikhism teaches that God is one, and is everywhere, were important points of connection with indigenous spirituality.
Vicki Clark with members of the Shepparton Interfaith Network
L to R, Rev Malcolm Holmes, Dr Frank Purcell, Margaret Purcell, Camerun Albanoi, Vicki Clark, Eileen Dolan and Joan McRae.
Vicki Clark presenting at Shepparton
Display of Aboriginal Crosses
Display of Aboriginal Crosses
Sand representation of Mutthi Mutthi peoples
