National Sorry Day is a day when we pause to remember the Stolen Generations of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year Sorry Day fell on Sunday 26th May. Sorry Day leads us into the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Reconciliation Week which is held each year between 27th May and 3rd June.   These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for all Australians to highlight and celebrate the place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and rights in the history of our nation.The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2019 is Grounded in Truth: Walk Together With Courage. 
 
The Gospel calls us to stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society. It is our Christian responsibility to stand for and contribute to a vision of a reconciled, just and equitable Australia.  The focus on reconciliation this week is an invitation to build better relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the benefit of all Australians.

God of love and peace, you are full of mercy and compassion.
Through your Son Jesus you show us how to live in harmony with others,
to be peacemakers.
Give us the grace we need to walk with others with courage and commitment. May we always be ready to admit our faults and seek forgiveness of those we have hurt.
Help us to be accepting and understanding so that our communities can be strong in peace and understanding.
We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen

Have a lovely week everyone,
Kayleen Petzer