NAIDOC Week is being celebrated across Australia, and 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. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on July 6 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.
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,” he said.
“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.
Representatives of the Indigenous community presented the gifts, the Eucharistic prayer and Communion.
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.
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NAIDOC Week: a message of hope (Melbourne Catholic)
