Aboriginal Apostolate |
|||
Contact: Fr Peter Dorfield |
 |
||
| Phone: | (07) 4637 1500 | ||
Fax: |
(07) 4637 1511 | ||
| Office Location: | C/- Fr Peter Dorfield | Postal Address: | C/- Fr Peter Dorfield |
| St Patrick's Cathedral | PO Box 7062 | ||
| 123 Neil Street | Toowoomba MC Qld 4352 | ||
| Toowoomba | |||
The Aboriginal Apostolate supports Indigenous Peoples who live within the region covered by our diocese. We share the region with numerous Aboriginal communities, of varying size. The Indigenous population of our region is estimated at between nine to ten thousand. We are also involved with non-Indigenous people in dealing with matters that arise as a result of racial or cultural interaction within communities across our region. This is to educate and sometimes mediate, advise or advocate. The Apostolate is not directed exclusively to Catholic Aborigines but rather is open to all Indigenous Peoples within the region of any faith or none. By choice, the Apostolate is both inclusive and ecumenical. We have been operating for the past twenty-one years. |
|||
Our pastoral objectives are:
|
|||
To address our pastoral objectives, we rely on Parish personnel, on Indigenous people employed in our schools and in the Catholic Education Office, on the Diocesan Social Justice Commission, and on the Diocesan Network of Indigenous contacts built up during the preceding years of Apostolate work. We are delighted with the partnership that has developed between the Social Justice Commission and the Aboriginal Apostolate. In 2009 this partnership helped set up the Diocesan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group which now meets directly with the Bishop. Over the past twenty-one years of operation we have developed firm friendships with Indigenous people in all communities across the region, friendships which continue into the next generation. In our schools, Indigenous perspectives are now commonly included in curriculums. Acknowledgment of Traditional Owners is now an established practice at significant Church events. Some Indigenous people invite us to be part of their lives through celebrating baptisms, the occasional wedding, home blessings and funerals. We provide some measure of assistance in emergency situations, especially when no one else is willing or able to assist. |
|||