Call for reflection on Australia Day

Call for reflection on Australia Day
Listening Deeply

Just released: Australia Day 2025 Reflection and Discernment Guide from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council urges the nation to engage in deep reflection and prayer as Australia Day 2025 approaches.

The Guide is filled with hope and extends a warm invitation to embark on a journey together, fostering respect and appreciation. Its goal is to inspire meaningful action and a commitment to reconciliation


The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council also wants Australians to reflect on a nation where all feel included, respected, and valued, in a bid to inspire meaningful action and a commitment to reconciliation.

“The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council acknowledges and respects that many Australians hold a deep connection to this day and the pride they feel in our country,” the guide states.

“For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, however, January 26 is a day of mixed emotions – one that brings sadness, reflection, and a sense of unresolved history.”

The guide is to be used by groups and individuals for prayerful reflection on Australia Day, which this year falls on a Sunday – our Holy Day in which the faithful come together to reflect, give thanks and seek God’s guidance.

The guide includes prayers, scripture passages and questions for reflection. Download the guide here

The final reflection section asks people to consider exploring other dates that might serve as a “more inclusive national celebration, without the heavy historical connotations of January 26”.

INTRODUCTION – NATSICC 2025 Australia Day Statement, and Reflection and Discernment Guide

Australia Day is a time of reflection, celebration, and for many, deep contemplation about what it means to be Australian. It is an opportunity to embrace the diversity and richness of our Nation’s heritage while acknowledging the journey towards reconciliation and unity. As people of faith, we are called to seek justice, promote understanding, and walk humbly with one another.

This Guide invites you to explore the complexities of this day, consider its significance through a lens of faith, and reflect on how we can contribute to a future where all Australians feel included, respected, and valued.

May our reflections inspire meaningful action and a commitment to reconciliation.

 

Indigenous Hands

 


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