Story courtesy of Jemma Jones and Kyabram Free Press.
A smoking ceremony set the stage for a poignant and powerful Reconciliation Mass at St Augustine's College.
The college held its annual Reconciliation Mass on Thursday, May 29, during National Reconciliation Week.
The Mass commenced with hundreds of students walking through the cleansing smoke of a traditional smoking ceremony led by Uncle Rick Ronnan and supported by Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Kasey Cooper.
This year, the week carried the theme 'Bridging now to Next', with all guest speakers featuring this theme heavily.
After an introduction by school captains Tia Harrison and Jett Guiney, Uncle Rick delivered a Welcome to Country and offered his wisdom on the theme.
"I got involved in Echuca in the Reconciliation Walk and it seems to be getting bigger and bigger – so that's strating to bridge the gap," he said.
"I was a past student at St Augustine's back in the '60s and I moved back over to Echuca and was an altar boy at St Mary's for a while, so it's all a matter of respect for religions, races and each other. "
"If everyone could respect each other and their ways, it would be a much better world."
Lily Garth and Bill Hipwell spoke about the importance of the theme, and how Australians should build meaningful connections between where we are and where we need to go as a nation.
"Reconciliation is not a destination, but a journey – one that requires courage, compassion and commitment," Miss Garth said.
"It reminds us that the steps we take now – free listening deeply, learning truthfully and living respectfully – will form the bridge that leads to lasting reconciliation."
Father Uday Marneni spoke in the homily about the importance of forgiveness and more importantly the strength of the word 'sorry', keeping in line with the reconciliation theme.
The Mass also introduced the FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carriers, with thirteen student leaders from years five and six being commissioned. This honour is performed every Reconciliation Week to promote reconciliation and Justice among the cohort.
Image above courtesy of Kyabram Free Press.
