Journeying together in prayer this National Reconciliation Week - Let's Pray with Ash Knox

May 20, 2025 00:04:40
Journeying together in prayer this National Reconciliation Week - Let's Pray with Ash Knox
Archdiocese of Brisbane
Journeying together in prayer this National Reconciliation Week - Let's Pray with Ash Knox

May 20 2025 | 00:04:40

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Show Notes

Let's Pray with Ash Knox as we journey together in prayer this National Reconciliation Week.

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Episode Transcript

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:01,680 Yaama. 2 00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:03,680 My name is Ash Knox, 3 00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:05,480 and I’m a proud Gomeroi woman 4 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:06,960 from the Kamilaroi Nation. 5 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:09,680 I serve as the Cultural Advisor 6 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:11,600 within the People and Culture team 7 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:13,840 here at the Archdiocese of Brisbane. 8 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:16,080 In this role, 9 00:00:16,080 --> 00:00:18,720 I have the privilege of walking alongside 10 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:21,520 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 11 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:23,760 across our Archdiocese 12 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:25,720 and support our workplaces 13 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:29,080 to grow in cultural awareness and capability. 14 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:32,320 I’d like to begin by honouring 15 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:34,880 the Yuggera and Turrbal peoples, 16 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:37,080 the Traditional Custodians of the land 17 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:38,560 on which we gather today. 18 00:00:39,160 --> 00:00:42,200 I’m here at St Stephen’s Cathedral, 19 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:46,280 a place of deep spiritual and cultural significance for many. 20 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:50,000 I pay tribute to Elders past and present 21 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,360 and extend that respect 22 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,320 to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 23 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:55,520 joining us today. 24 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:57,880 May we each take a moment 25 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:00,040 to reflect on the Country we’re on 26 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:03,280 and the spirits, stories, and strength 27 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:05,760 that continues to live in these lands. 28 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:10,640 26th of May marks National Sorry Day, 29 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:14,160 also known as the Journey of Healing, 30 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,960 a time to honour Stolen Generations 31 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:19,800 and reflect on the deep and ongoing impacts 32 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:21,840 of past government policies 33 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,520 that removed children from their families, 34 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:26,560 cultures, and communities. 35 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:29,520 Immediately after this 36 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:31,800 is National Reconciliation Week, 37 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:34,800 which begins on Tuesday 27th of May. 38 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:38,360 This important week first began in 1993 39 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:41,280 as a Week of Prayer for Reconciliation, 40 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,080 supported by Australia’s major faith groups. 41 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,040 This year’s theme is, Bridging Now to Next. 42 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,240 This theme speaks to ongoing connection between 43 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:53,800 past, present, and future 44 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:58,440 reminding us that reconciliation isn’t a moment in time, 45 00:01:58,440 --> 00:01:59,960 but a continuing journey. 46 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:03,400 Bridging Now to Next 47 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:06,440 calls on all Australians to step forward together, 48 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:08,640 to remember the lessons of the past, 49 00:02:08,640 --> 00:02:11,960 to stand in truth and unity today, 50 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:14,800 and to look ahead with courage and commitment. 51 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:18,520 This week is framed by two significant dates. 52 00:02:18,920 --> 00:02:24,080 May 27th marks the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, 53 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:27,000 when over 90% of Australians voted 54 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,000 to give the Commonwealth power 55 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:32,480 to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 56 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,040 and to include them in the census, 57 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:38,480 a moment of profound national recognition. 58 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:41,520 June 3rd is Mabo Day, 59 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:44,600 which commemorates the landmark High Court decision 60 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,360 that overturned the myth of terra nullius 61 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,120 and recognises Native Title rights 62 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:52,560 of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 63 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:54,560 This legal milestone 64 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,920 affirmed what First Nations peoples have always known, 65 00:02:57,920 --> 00:03:00,560 that this land was never empty, 66 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:03,400 and our deep, enduring connection to Country 67 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:05,440 is real and rightful. 68 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,560 I invite you now to pray with me. 69 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:12,120 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 70 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:16,840 God of justice and truth. 71 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:18,600 On National Sorry Day, 72 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:20,120 we remember the strength 73 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,800 of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 74 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:27,320 who have carried the burden of past policies, 75 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:32,240 particularly those impacted by forced removals. 76 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:35,920 We honour the voices of the Stolen Generations, 77 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:37,960 their courage, their stories, 78 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:43,240 and their ongoing journey of healing. 79 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:46,640 We ask for your forgiveness and guidance 80 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,680 as we strive to heal the wounds of the past 81 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:51,200 and build a future 82 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:56,680 where all people are treated with dignity and respect. 83 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:59,640 We pray for a nation where justice 84 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:02,760 and equity prevail for all Australians. 85 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,000 May Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities 86 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,240 be empowered to thrive, 87 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:10,720 and may the disparities in achievement 88 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:15,000 be overcome through collective commitment and action. 89 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,640 May we continue to walk together, not just in words, 90 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:20,640 but in meaningful change. 91 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:22,080 Amen. 92 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:25,480 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 93 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:28,000 Thank you for praying with me today. 94 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,320 I hope I get to see you soon, 95 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:32,760 as we continue this journey together.

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