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Celebrating Together: St John Bosco parish’s NAIDOC-inspired liturgical garments
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
NAIDOC Week is a time for Australians to learn about and celebrate the oldest continuous living culture in the world, but learning about and celebrating our First Nations Peoples should not be limited to one week a year. That was the sentiment behind the creation of St John Bosco parish’s NAIDOC-inspired liturgical garments: a chasuble and a stole.
The chasuble is adorned with artwork that tells the story of St John Bosco College’s connection to the Country on which it sits and was created for the college by Bundjalung woman Deslyn Marsh and Bundjalung and Wiradjuri man Isaac Bamblett. The principal celebrant’s stole is also adorned with the artwork but includes an embroidered cross and a whale at each end.
To honour our local First Nations People, the Dharawal-speakers of Eora, the parish NAIDOC committee asked Sutherland Shire Reconciliation to allow a local symbol to be embroidered on one end of the stole.
Traditionally, a cross is placed in the middle of a stole. For more elaborate stoles, a simple design can be decorated on one or both ends. This NAIDOC-inspired Dharawal stole moved the traditional cross to one end, and with the blessing of Sutherland Shire Reconciliation, Burri Burri, the whale was placed on the other.
To honour our local First Nations People, the Dharawal-speakers of Eora, the parish NAIDOC committee asked Sutherland Shire Reconciliation to allow a local symbol to be embroidered on one end of the stole. Traditionally, a cross is placed in the middle of a stole. For more elaborate stoles, a simple design can be decorated on one or both ends. This NAIDOC-inspired Dharawal stole moved the traditional cross to one end, and with the blessing of Sutherland Shire Reconciliation, Burri Burri, the whale was placed on the other.
It is hoped that these vestments will be worn for more than the NAIDOC Mass, to quietly inspire parishioners to live the NAIDOC spirit every day.
St John Bosco Parish NAIDOC Mass will be held at the Shrine, 46 Waratah Rd, Engadine, at 9:30 am on Sunday, 26th July. A very warm invitation is extended to all Sutherland Shire Reconciliations Elders and members, as well as all First Nations People and non-Indigenous community members. Please come, join us and let’s celebrate together.
Artwork by Deslyn Marsh & Isaac Bamblett
Dharawal symbol gifted by Sutherland Shire Reconciliation
Burri Burri audio story by Dhungutti and Dharawal man Raymond Ingrey
Embroidered by Shire Embroidery
Sewing by Pins & Needles & D Scully
