Last week, a special celebration took place at St Theresa's Church in Townsville - National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week Mass. 

The event, themed "For Our Elders", sought to acknowledge the significant contributions and influence that our elders have and continue to have on our respective communities and families. 

A diocesan initiative, Bishop Tim Harris together with Fr Dave Lancini presided the Mass. Nine schools from the Townsville diocese were represented at the gathering, with principals and leadership staff, Indigenous students, their guests, and the members of the St Teresa Parish present. 

Students were invited to engage in a variety of activities designed to allow them to appreciate and better understand the role of elders in their lives, such as designing posters with inspiring quotes, decorating containers for use as holy water gifts to be presented to the elders, and assembling a slideshow featuring pictures and captions of significant figures in their lives. 

The participation in this NAIDOC Week Mass serves to revere the knowledge, experience, guidance and resilience that the elders have provided, which have indirectly assisted in sustaining and perpetuating the existence of our Nation. Together, we can take pride in the acknowledgement of our elders' determination, drive and commitment in striving for gender equality and ensuring the legacy for future generations.

After the NAIDOC Mass, everyone gathered outside for a shared morning tea and special dance performance by the students from St Margaret Mary’s College.