Three Religious have been honoured in this year’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Awards for their commitment to walking with Indigenous communities.

*Br Vince Roche CFC (Photo: NATSICC website).*

Br Vince Roche CFC, Fr Leo Wearden MSCand Sr Kerry MacDermott OLN received the awards in the non-Indigeous category of the awards during NAIDOC Week.

Br Vince, a Christian Brother, has lived for almost 40 years in the remote communities of Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands but mostly at Wadeye (Port Keats).

This year 2021 marks 40 years since the Christian Brothers began ministry at Wadeye.

“In many ways his constant and faithful service goes unnoticed but the people of Wadeye hold Vince in the highest esteem,” the citation reads.

“He initially taught at the schools in the communities. He later moved into Adult Education programs.

“He has been a crucial contact person for families who have had their children attend boarding schools interstate such as Worowa Aboriginal College in Victoria.

“Vince is always available to the many people who knock on the door of his house and he inspires all of us with his consistent and quiet service of all who come his way. He is a trusted advisor to many and he continues to assist people with the challenges experienced in remote communities where his knowledge and experience with application forms for setting up bank accounts, mobile phones and tax payments and the demands from Government bureaucracies are treasured.”

The Church leaders at Wadeye nominated Br Vince for the award.

Fr Leo, who is a Missionary of the Sacred Heart, has been Parish Priest at Wadeye for around 15 years. Previously he was on Bathurst Island for 10 years.

*Fr Leo Weardon, Parish Priest of Wadeye (PHOTO: NATSICC website)*

“He is totally committed to making Jesus present in the Indigenous Communities of the Northern Territory,” his citation reads.

“He is a kind, generous and respectful man, sensitive to the cultural needs of the people, and humbly walks with them in times happy and sad. He has been invited by Traditional Elders to say Mass and bless the candidates for cultural ceremonies. This is an indication of the high esteem in which he is held by the community.

“He will often be invited to say a home Mass on occasions of bereavement and anniversaries. Father willingly celebrates Mass on homelands, at the local school on special Feast Days. He has learned the local language, and leads prayers and sings in Murrinhpatha. During a recent period of ill health, the people missed him greatly and greeted his return with banners and songs of welcome.”

And, while it could be true to say that Sr Kerry MacDermott of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor, lives her life in the service of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait community, the citation for her award says her life is more than than.

*Sr Kerry McDermott OLN. PHOTO: Catholic Weekly/supplied.*

“She simply lives her life with the community she knows as her friends and neighbours. In this, she is truly Jesus made present to others,” it says.

“Sr Kerry is a gentle but very strong leader. She advocates for justice and encourages those around her to live justly. She is a spokesperson for those who have no voice, but more than that, she encourages their voice. She challenges the status-quo and expects that anyone can be a leader. It is important to note that Sr Kerry, while being guided at all times by her Order’s ministry of service to others, is first and foremost guided by the advice of the Elders of the community.

“A tireless worker in the Holy Family Parish, Ingleburn, Sr. Kerry is based at a humble, little secondary church- Holy Trinity at Minto which has been her spiritual home, and that of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry for many years.

“Once a month is an Aboriginal Mass is held with participation by the community as readers and Eucharistic Ministers and frequently babies are Baptised during the Mass. It is a joyful occasion with so many reflections of Catholic, Aboriginal life, including hymns, cloths, flowers, candles and paintings.

“The presiding Priest is usually the Chaplain to the Aboriginal community, guided and mentored by Sr Kerry. Sr. Kerry has been instrumental in the formation and continued work of the Winga Myamly Reconciliation Group. ‘Winga Myamly’ means ‘sit down and talk’ in Wiradjuri and that is what the group does. However, the ‘talk’ has led to some amazing achievements.”

For more information on the NATSICC Community Service Awards, visit their website.