Faith Matters - Sorry

We have certainly had a busy fortnight at the College as ‘school life’ ramps up as we move rapidly toward the end of the Semester. The week long lock down has been a frustrating but necessary interruption to our events but fortunately almost all of our Reconciliation Week events occurred before remote learning began. Toby Mew and Tory Wood who are both members of the College’s FIRE Carrier community must be acknowledged for the enormous amount of energy and organisation they have put into this year’s events.

The 2021 theme of Reconciliation Week is ‘More than a word: Reconciliation takes action’, and therefore Reconciliation Week is underscored by the word ‘sorry’. In 2008, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd used this word to acknowledge the countless wrongs of the past and enable genuine dialogue around reconciliation to occur. Words matter.

Sorry is a powerful word that not only acknowledges wrong but is also contrite and penitent in nature. When we are sorry and acknowledge that we allow dialogue to begin, ego to be put aside and relationships to be rebuilt. Before we can be sorry for an action or choice we must find the humility to acknowledge wrong. This can be difficult but is essential if healing it to occur for ourself and for others.

During the events held at the College during Reconciliation Week the word sorry was the key theme offered by Toby Mew (Social Justice Captain) during the planting of ‘our’ Illawarra Flame Tree in the Remembrance and Reflection Garden. The following transcript illustrates the power words can have and sincerity Toby and our College has in regard to reconciliation.

Today we acknowledge that we are gathering together on sacred land.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land – the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin nation.

This land has been under their care for thousands of years.

We recognise their ongoing connection with this land and it’s waters.

We also pay our respects to their elders, past and present.

Today we say Sorry.

Sorry for the injustices that the Indigenous People of this land have endured. We remember the Stolen Generations and the impact that their forced removal has had.

We acknowledge their strength and resilience in continuing to be the oldest living culture in the world.

We plant this Illawarra flame tree as an act in Reconciliation and as a reminder of our continued commitment as FIRE carriers to walk with the First Nations People of this land to bring about harmony, understanding and respect.

We hope that this tree provides a place for students and staff to connect with nature and as a reminder of our pledge for Reconciliation.

Our Sorry Day service was a whole school event that announces annually our continued commitment to the process of reconciliation. The smoking ceremony and the words of our guest speaker, Inala Cooper, who is a descendant of parents from the Stolen Generation were both powerful Illustrations of how an honest examination of history and the resilience of Indigenous people offers our nation a way forward.

Respecting others and caring for those in need are foundational aspects of our faith and central to the teachings of Jesus. In the modern day, we as a College apply this vision to reconciliation and the obligation to educate our community. The symbols used to illustrate this commitment, including the flame tree, are only worthy if they are supported by a sound commitment and desire to commit to the process of reconciliation.

At the College we are well placed to continue on our journey. We have FIRE Carriers and staff who have a passion toward reconciliation and leadership within the College who enable and support this process. As we enter into the next twelve months of our reconciliation journey we look toward deeper relationships with the Wadawurrung community based upon the core teachings of Jesus. In doing so we will continue to use words carefully and with a level of sophistication acknowledge that we as a community are ‘sorry’.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan Nicholls  Liturgy Coordinator