Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday, 3 July 2022

"We will open our hearts to the cries of the poor using our energies, gifts and resources to address violence and discrimination especially for women and children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, displaced persons, minority groups, the homeless, those suffering hardship because of poverty and those affected by injustice within the Church." (Chapter Statement)

Every year, on the first Sunday in July, Catholics come together across Australia to acknowledge and celebrate the gifts of Australia’s First Peoples in the Catholic Church. This year's theme is : "The Harvest is Plentiful, but the labourers are few. Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!".

This year is particularly important because of the need to reconnect due to the COVID 19 Pandemic and its impact on the ways in which we interacted and made contact with one another.

 Resources have been compiled by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC to help us to celebrate the gifts of our First Australians in the Church for many years.

These include:

• Homily notes by Bishop Tim Norton based the theme - The Harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few
• Practical Activities for young people
• Liturgy suggestions for First Nations and non Indigenous Congregations
• Interesting statistics on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics in Australia

Access the resources here