NAIDOC Week: a message of hope

NAIDOC Week 2025 celebrations hold special significance in this Jubilee year, echoing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council’s theme: ‘sent forth in strength and hope’.

As ATSICC writes, ‘It is Christ who sends us to walk together in faith, grounded in the deep spirituality and culture of First Nations peoples, strengthened by the Gospel, and filled with hope for the future God is leading us into.’

NAIDOC is being celebrated across Australia, beginning, as always, on the first Sunday of July. The Archdiocese of Melbourne is bookending the week that honours and celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions of First Nations peoples with a special Mass on each Sunday.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on 6 July was a vibrant fusion of tradition and faith. The Mass setting was the Melbourne Mass, composed by Dr Philip Matthias for the Archdiocese of Melbourne’s 175th anniversary and incorporating the music of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities alongside the music of various migrant communities.

The congregation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous worshippers were stirred by the sounds of Troy Kohl’s didgeridoo, which created a powerful connection between culture and worship. The soaring voices of the Cathedral Schola added an emotional charge to the liturgy.

In his homily, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli reflected on the significance of the Message Stick, which was held throughout the ceremony by Loiuse Luu, a Xavier College teacher of Indigenous and Vietnamese heritage.

The Archbishop drew parallels between the ancient device of communication used by Indigenous communities with different languages and cultures, and Jesus’ disciples going out into the world to invite people into his life.

‘The Message Stick here … bears the message from Christ, carried by those sent to proclaim the Good News of the coming of God’s kingdom among the people willing to hear of it.

‘Jesus sent his disciples out with a message of healing and hope. This is a message we all need to hear and receive, and to then also be the bearers of it among our families and neighbours.’

Reflecting the importance to the Archdiocese of the history of the land it serves, the director of Mission, Teresa Rhynehart delivered the Acknowledgement of Country, welcoming all present and honouring the traditional custodians, the Wurundjeri, Woi-wurrung and Bunurong, Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin nation, ‘who are those appointed by God as the traditional custodians of this precious land,’ she read.

‘We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, for the way they have stewarded the Lord’s good creation. We extend that respect to all Indigenous people across this country we now call Australia, who we pray will continue that task of stewardship, trusting that our Creator will continue reconciling all things to himself in Jesus Christ.’

Representatives of the Indigenous community presented the gifts, the Eucharistic prayer and Communion. The Eucharistic Prayer of Reconciliation was personally chosen by the Archbishop, and underscored the theme of unity among communities.

At the end of Mass, Lee Toll was acknowledged as a 2025 NATSICC Service to Community Award winner (non-Indigenous category). Archbishop Comensoli thanked her on behalf of the Archdiocese for her tireless work with the Binnap Partners, who support the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria.

Throughout NAIDOC Week, the Cathedral is displaying Aboriginal Stations of the Cross banners, inviting visitors to consider Catholic faith through the lens of Indigenous art. The week will be capped off with the 2025 NAIDOC Mass at St Francis’ Church on Lonsdale Street.

NAIDOC Week events celebrate the enduring legacy of First Nations peoples and the hope carried forward by the next generation. As the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council declares, this is ‘the living story of faith and culture walking hand in hand—of ancient traditions alive in Christ, and of a Church made more whole when all are welcomed, seen and heard.’