This year’s theme is Now More Than Ever – a reminder that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will and must continue.

National Reconciliation Week started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities.

Now, it happens across the same dates every year 27 May to 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

Diocesan staff will celebrate the week with a special liturgy this Thursday. Thousands of students across our Catholic Schools will recognise the week through different classroom activities, liturgies, out-of-uniform days, and more.

There are also several events happening across the Hunter-Manning that all members of the public are encouraged to be part of. Including:

• Pop-up choir at Museum Park, Newcastle – 30 May, 12pm: This choir is part of a national initiative by Reconciliation Australia, which is encouraging communities across the country to lend their voices to reconciliation. The song everyone will be singing is Blackfella/Whitefella by the Warumpi band.
• Hume Housing Reconciliation BBQ – 29 May, 12pm: A community BBQ with food and drinks will be held at Maitland Park near the All-Abilities playground and pool.
• Muswellbrook Annual Aboriginal Flag Raising – 29 May, 10.30am: Muswellbrook Shire Council invites you to the annual raising of the Aboriginal Flag at the Reconciliation Mural in Simpson Park.
• Mathew Talbot Community BBQ – 28 May, 11am: Everyone is welcome to attend a community BBQ at Matthew Talbot Homeless Service Wickham (82 Hannell Street) during their open Hub day for a free BBQ and a yarn.

To learn more about Reconciliation Week or find resources to share with your community, visit www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week

If you have a story of reconciliation within our Diocese that you would like to share with us, please email alyson.segrott@mn.catholic.org.au or send us a message on Facebook.

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