Dear Friends,

This month, I returned from the SVD General Chapter in Rome just in time to attend the celebrations marking 100 years since the first Mass took place on Palm Island.

The two events could not have been more different in many ways, but they were also intertwined, because at the Chapter we prayed, discerned and talked about mission and tending to the wounds of humanity, and on Palm Island we are part of mission in action.

Our General Chapter theme was ‘Your light must shine before others: Faithful and creative disciples in a wounded world’.

And on Palm Island, the light of Christ was shining strong as Fr Manh Le SVD, together with the SSpS Sisters and the whole faith community of this predominantly indigenous island in North Queensland came together for their parish’s centenary celebrations.

The wounds of the people on Palm Island are many. Today’s residents of the island have inherited a legacy of dispossession which continues to impact their lives. They are descendants of people taken from mainland North Queensland to the Palm Island Aboriginal Settlement from 1914 to 1971.

The people who were relocated to Palm Island came from a range of different language groups and clans. Consequently, there are about 44 languages and tribal groups on the island, although English is the main language used.

The wounds from this dispossession of their traditional lands and forced relocation run deep and are at the root of many of the social, educational and health challenges experienced today.

In the midst of this reality, the presence of the St Anne’s Parish community is a light shining brightly with the love of Christ.

It was beautiful to witness the genuine joy with which the community embraced this significant anniversary – from the elders to the youngest of children, including the whole St Michael’s Catholic Primary School student body.

Presided over by Townsville Bishop Tim Harris, the celebration embraced the indigenous cultures present on Palm Island and gave thanks for God’s loving presence in the people’s midst since that first Mass was celebrated 100 years ago.

After my time in Rome, it just felt right to be on Palm Island, with the people.

The life and memory of the first Eucharist celebrated there 100 years ago have borne fruit. We give thanks to the early pioneers of the faith for their dedication and sacrifice.

The SVD is committed to continuing our ministerial presence on Palm Island so that together with the people, and bound by the love of Christ, we can be faithful and creative disciples into the future.

We will bring you a full report on the celebration in the next edition of In the Word.

Yours in the Word,

Fr Asaeli Rass SVD,

Provincial.

PHOTO: Attending the 100th anniversary Mass on Palm Island. Pictured with Fr Manh Le SVD, Bishop Tim Harris and students from St Michael's Catholic School.