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Frequently
Asked Questions
1. Who established the ACM at Alexandria?
2. When was the ACM at Alexandria established?
3 Why was the ACM in Alexandria established?
4. What type of work does the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry
do in the Community?
5. What are some of the upcoming events or projects the ACM
at Alexandria will be doing?
6. Who are the various members of the teams at the ACM at Alexandria,
and what are their roles.
7. What is is the typical day to day work at the Healing house
for the Coordinator?
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1.
Who established the ACM at Alexandria?
In its present form the ACM at 77 Buckland St Alexandria, ( a property owned
by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney), was set up by Brenda McDonnell (Coordinator)
and Ruth Ryan (Welfare Officer), with the support of Fr Joe Kelly (Priest Assistant),
in July of 2001. This property, though previously used for Aboriginal Ministry,
was a somewhat rundown state, and had to cleaned and renovated.
Immediately prior to this move the ACM operated out of a property owned by the
Erskineville Catholic Parish, at 56 Swanson St., Erskineville. 2. When was the ACM at Alexandria established?
The ACM does in fact have a previous history in Alexandria. In 1974
Fr A Mithen, a Pallotine Priest was appointed the first full time chaplain
to the Aboriginal People of Sydney, by Cardinal Freeman, and he was located
at a house in 77 Buckland St Alexandria, where he set up and office and Hospitality
Centre. In 1980 Fr Mithen succeeded by the well known Fr Eugene Stockton. During
the nineteen eighties, this house evolved into a Hostel, called Dundara, which
gave preference to Aboriginal People from the country who came to Sydney for
medical treatment. The ACM was refounded by Fr Frank Fletcher MSC in 1988 at
St Mary's Parish Erskineville. It began in a small room in the presbytery.
Fr Frank was soon joined by Barbra Asplet and Elsie Heiss, who are still with
the ACM. As time went on the small group received some funding from the diocese
and from the MSC Order. In the late nineties the ACM was given the use of a
building at 56 Swanson Street Erskineville, and assistance from the diocese
increased substantially. The story of how the Reconciliation Church and the
Aboriginal Women's Healing House became available to the ACM are to be found
on the Web Site. But in its present form at Alexandria with Brenda McDonnell
as Coordinator it was established in July 2001. So the ACM began in the seventies
at Alexandria, then in the eighties it moved to Erskineville, and in July 2001,
it moved back to Alexandria.
For more information go to www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani
then under THEMES go to Ivolvement With the Church.
3 Why was the ACM in Alexandria established?
These are the AIMS of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry:
A. In General:
To develop a ministry of Aboriginal People
ministering to
Aboriginal People.
B. In Particular:
- To offer pastoral care to Aboriginal Catholics; to provide Masses, Baptisms,
Confirmations, First Communions, Funerals and prayer groups in a manner that
respects Aboriginal Culture.
-To help individuals to relate their Aboriginal spirituality to Christian Faith
and prayer. This is the basis for the inculturation of Faith, and for culturally
appropriate manner of offering the Mass.
- To offer care and support to the general Aboriginal community, whether they
be Catholic or not.
- To work to educate and raise the awareness of non-indigenous Australians
in regard to various Indigenous issues, such as justice, history, special needs,
special problems etc.
4. What type of work does the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry
do in the Community?
The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry is part of the general work
of ministry by the Sydney Archdiocese. It is funded by the
Charitable Works Fund, and has 4 Permanent, and 4 casual
staff, as well as a Priest Assistant. The ACM has been commissioned
by the Sydney Archdiocese to promote Reconciliation, to work
for mutual understanding between people, and help put an
end to racism and prejudice. It is also commissioned to minister
to those in need, to work to heal those who have been hurt
especially the Stolen Generation, and to take responsibility
for the pastoral care of Catholic Aborigines. From its small
beginnings in St Mary’s Parish based in the presbytery,
the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry now operates from 3 centers,
The Main Office, The Aboriginal Women's Healing House, The
Reconciliation Church
The main office is situated in 77
Buckland St Alexandria,
in a house provided by the Sydney Archdiocese. From this
office Indigenous Speakers respond to requests from parishes
and schools, to speak on various issues especially Reconciliation,
or to provide some aspect of liturgical expression, such
as the Smoking Ceremony. We also answer queries, or even
provide interviews for those who wish to find out more
about Aboriginal Issues and the Catholic Church. We help
with the planning of the Liturgy for funerals, the preparation
of the Church, and usually the people request the Service
be held here at St Mary’s and conducted by the priest
Assistant.
A Welfare Office called the St Mary’s Mum-Shirl St
Vincent de Paul Conference is also based here. Food provided
by St Vincent de Paul is distributed to the needy by our
Welfare Officer. The Welfare Officer can also help with travel
costs, and funeral costs in special circumstances. The Welfare
officer also refers people to other specialist welfare outlets
where appropriate.
The Aboriginal Women's Healing House
The ACM, at the request of the Sydney Archdiocese, has very
recently set up the Aboriginal Women’s Healing House
in the country, on Mt Razorback near Picton It has accommodation
for about 18. Since its Official Opening on March 11 of 2000,
many groups of women have benefited from its Healing Programs,
besides local groups, and young women from the Redfern Community,
Aboriginal Women have come from Nambucca Heads, Coonabarabran
and other country Areas. The Healing House also runs Reconciliation
Retreat/Workshops for non-Indigenous people. The Archdiocese
has commissioned the Healing House to minister particularly
to women who have suffered trauma associated with the Stolen
Generation, either having themselves been stolen, or having
had children or relatives stolen. The Healing Programs use
traditional and contemporary healing therapy, and those who
have been through the program have expressed heartfelt appreciation
for the experience.
The Reconciliation Church and Office are situated at
La Perouse, at 11 Yarra Road,
Yarra Bay.
This Church is part
of the parish of St Andrew’s at Malabar. The Church is now being refurbished in the spirit
of Aboriginal Culture and Art. The work is a joint venture of St Andrew’s
Parish and the ACM.. The Church has an office which operates two days a week,
and besides its role of pastoral care to the Catholics, the office also ministers
to those in need, especially those who have lost loved ones and need help with
funerals. Personnel also go out from this office in response to requests from
the Catholic Church, sometimes these requests are from Bishops in country areas,
sometimes schools and parishes in the Sydney Region, sometimes from Catholic
Organizations, both Indigenous and non-indigenous.
Finally, the ACM is also associated with The Gathering Place
This Ministry grew out of the long established Ministry of
Fr Ted Kennedy
and Team at Redfern, and in its present form began when Sr
Pat Ormesher RSCJ and her sister Sr Dorothy Ormesher RSCJ
moved into Caroline St., Redfern, and began their own ministry
there, near 'The Block' about 14 years ago. Their house has
become known as the Gathering Place, and people are always
welcome. This ministry with the local people is one of Friendship,
Mutuality, Hospitality, Sharing and Prayer. It develops and
grows out of a deepening relationship with the People who
live on The Block, and in its vicinity. It is a ministry
which attempts to serve the stated needs of the people, and
which encourages their enterprise. Though not officially
part of the ACM, the two ministries work in partnership.
5. What are some of the upcoming events or projects the ACM
at Alexandria will be doing?
Apart from smaller the projects there are two major projects the ACM has initiated
during the last three to four years, and these projects are still being developed,
namely The Reconciliation Church at La Perouse and the Aboriginal Women's Healing
House at Picton.
The Reconciliation Church began as a project in 1999, and the first Masses
for Aboriginal Catholics began there in 2000. The whole project of developing
the Church and adorning it with symbols of Aboriginal and Catholic Culture
and Spirituality will take many more years. St Andrew's Catholic Parish of
Malabar and the Sydney Archdiocese have given substantial assistance to this
project, as have various religious orders. Recently the Coordinator engaged
and Aboriginal artist to begin work on a complete set of aboriginals Stations
of the Cross. The project was completed well ahead of time, and the final result
is a beautiful work of art. These Stations of the Cross have not yet been fully
paid for; this has been a major project, and it will not be finished until
the artist is fully paid. The total cost is $16,500 and Elsie has raised just
over half of that. See the ACM Web Site for details.
The Aboriginal Women's Healing House was opened in 2000; it has been fully
operational for nearly three years, and is booked out into next year. For an
explanation of what the Healing House does, see the ACM Website. Now moves
have started to initiate an Aboriginal Men's Healing Program. Now this project
needs money, inspiration and support. There is still no venue for the program,
but at times the Women's Healing House will be available, (two men's programs
have already been held there), and it may be possible to use some property
belonging to Religious Orders.
Further Projects being developed by the ACM at Alexandria.
- The Newtown Probation and Parole board are working with
the ACM to develop a culturally relevant Aboriginal Women’s
Program, for women who are released on parole. The Steering
Committee meets regularly at 77 Buckland St. Alexandria.
- The Reconciliation and Renewal of Relationships Committee,
( RRR) is based at 77 Buckland St. This Committee was set
up by Sr Eileen Crowe FFM in conjunction with the ACM in
2001. Its aim is to promote Reconciliation in the Sydney
Archdiocese, especially by working to raise awareness in
parishes.
- Its vision is
1. That parishes develop an Aboriginal perspective through
inclusion of prayers and symbols in liturgies.
2. That non-Indigenous people take the opportunity of attending
a workshop at the Aboriginal Women’s Healing House
at Picton, to reflect on Australian / Aboriginal spirituality.
3. That Indigenous people in other ministries within the
Archdiocese, and those working in specific Reconciliation
ministries are supported.
4. That there will be networking with other Reconciliation
groups within the Archdiocese, ad well as other faith groups
engaged in Reconciliation.
5. That there be action on reports (government or otherwise)
pertaining to NSW/Sydney.
6. That links be made with prison chaplains
- The Inner City Aboriginal Multipurpose Association (ICAMPA).
This committee was set up at the ACM Alexandria with help
of local women from various Aboriginal Agencies. Its primary
aim is to help the local Aboriginal Communities when there
are significant Aboriginal events to be organized. One of
its primary tasks is to organize local events during NAIDOC
week, most especially the Picnic Day in Alexandria Park,
which is attended by hundreds of families. ICAMPA meets regularly
throughout the year at the ACM in 77 Buckland St.
6. Who are the various members of the teams at the ACM at
Alexandria, and what are their roles.
Actually the centres at Alexandria, La Perouse and Picton are all part of the
ACM of the Sydney Archdiocese. These are the permanent Aboriginal Staff of
the ACM, (there are up to 6 casual staff as well).
Brenda McDonnell is the Coordinator of the Alexandria ACM. She is responsible
for the Administration of the finances of all three parts of the ACM, and for
the proper keeping of the Accounts. She is accountable to he Financial Controller
of the Sydney Archdiocese. The administration and coordination of the ACM office
at Alexandria is also her responsibility, and a full description of the various
types of work done from this office is given under the heading The ACM Alexandria.
Ruth Ryan is the welfare Officer at Alexandria, and all the clients that approach
the ACM for help are her responsibility. She also orders the food, including
fresh meat each month, and sees that it is safely stored, and made available
to the most needy. A lot of her time is taken up in interviewing and counselling,
and also checking details to authenticate the claims being made by a client,
when this is appropriate or necessary. There is never enough emergency assistance
available for everybody, and so she has the resonsibility to see that the limited
resources reach the most needy.
Elsie Heiss is the Coordinator of the Reconciliation Church at La Perouse.
Part of her job is to represent the ACM on the State and National Aboriginal
Catholic Councils or Committees, such as the AICC and NATSIC. She usually handles
all dealings with the National Bishop's Conference, and in fact normally attends
some committee meetings at the Conference. It is her responsibilty to prepare
the liturgy for the Sunday Mass, to send out invitations to the Aboriginal
Communities and to prepare the refreshments that are available for everybody
after Mass. There are many local issues Elsie attends to, in the local La Perouse
Aboriginal Community, as well as working with St Andrew's Parish. More information
is available on the Web Site
Barbra Asplet is the Coordinator of the Aboriginal Women's Healing House. It
is her responsibility to plan the various workshops, and either lead them herself,
or to organize other facilitators. The workshops are normally of two of three
day duration, and are normally live in. It is her responsibility to organize
the necessary food, to organize and pay the necessary casual help such as a
cook and an assistant, to see that the accommodation is prepared. It is her
ongoing responsibility to see to all maintenance of the buildings, to ensure
that cleaning, laundry and grounds maintenance is attended to.
Sr Cath Dulhunty comes to the Healing House three days a week to help with
the administration.
Fr Joe Kelly is priest assistant to all three coordinators and to the welfare
officer, as well as chaplain to the ACM. An important part of the ministry
of the ACM are funerals. Many families come to the ACM at Alexandria in thier
time of loss and sadness, and we help with counselling, with planning funeral
liturgies, and with leading the Funeral Rite. Most funeral are held at St Mary's
Church Erskineville, or at St Andrews Malabar with Fr Pat Hurley, but there
are many other venues as well.
7. What is is the typical day to day work at the Healing
house for the Coordinator?
A workshop and the immediate preparation takes 30 to 32 hours work. Firstly,
immediately prior to the Workshop, I do the shopping for food and provisions
for up to 20 people for two days,. I usually do have someone to help me, but
I am not young and man-handling all of these provisions is not so easy. This
takes about three hours.
A typical Week-end workshop starts on Friday as about 3 pm, with the arrivals.
I am on duty until about 10 pm; I am responsible for welcoming the participants.
I need to supervise the casual helpers, and I have to see that the participants
are given afternoon tea, and to see that the evening meal is cooked and well
prepared; I always try to give our people the very best I can, with the resources
that I have, which are limited. I conduct the evening workshops and healing
sessions. I am on duty until things wind down at about 10 pm. This means I
am on duty for 7 hours, on the Friday.
On Saturday morning I see to it that the women begin the day with a good cooked
breakfast as well as cereals and fruit. Then after Breakfast, I also either
run the workshops for the day on my own, or have the responsibility of overseeing
a workshop if I have the benefit of assistance. On Saturday I end up being
on duty from 7 am to 9 pm, a total of 14 hours.
On Sunday the meals and the workshops continue, so I am similarly on duty from
7 am to about 4 pm, a total of 9 hours.
If I can I get the casual help I always wash the sheets on Sunday afternoon,
otherwise this is done on Monday, and then the beds are remade.
There are many other day to day things to attend to at the Healing House during
the week. Sometimes there are one day or two day workshops during the week,
as well as on the weekend. Then there is a degree of continual ongoing maintenance
at the Healing House, both on the grounds and the building. Also I actively
seek out clients, that is women who are interested in coming, and organizations
that will support them with grants to cover costs. This involves letter writing,
phone calls and meeting to discuss what form the workshops will take. Sr Cath
assists me in this work. Also there are the visitors who come to see the Healing
House. I spend a lot of time on phone-calls, writing letters, and arranging
meetings with those interested in the Healing House. Also the accounts have
to be prepared for the head office (Alexandria) every month. It is this ongoing
work that keeps me very busy. (Barbra Asplet)
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