Sacred Space Opening

In Week Ten, Term Three, we opened our sacred space area. This area contains a First Nations yarning circle and a prayer space, named after Sr Nora Fitzgibbon, the last Sister of Mercy to live in Roma.

There is real synchronicity between our Catholic beliefs and First Nations spirituality and it is appropriate that these sit side by side with each other.

For millennia, First Nations people have been meeting together, listening to one another and supporting each other. It is appropriate that our school has a space where this can continue for all students.

Additionally, in the prayer space area, named after Sr Nora Fitzgibbon, we now have the opportunity for students to have a quiet, contemplative space, where prayer and connection can take place. Sister Nora’s life has been one of faith, service, prayer and love. She has lived her life authentically, and she speaks about it with such joy.

Today, we are so proud to bless this sacred space so that all students of St John’s can come to know the face of Jesus, just like Sr Nora was for us.

We would like to thank Lane Brooks, a Mandandanji man, who conducted the smoking ceremony for our school. His presence was greatly appreciated as he has great cultural knowledge that he shared with all. We would also like to thank Tracey Reagan, Rodney Landers and the First Nation students of St John's who have helped make this dream  become a reality. 

A huge thank you goes to Mr Tim Tiley who constructed the area and Belinda Hayward for her assistance in the planning stages of the project.