A spirit of hope, healing and shared purpose will fill the Hunter Valley later this month, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics from across Australia gather on Wonnarua Country for the 2025 NATSICC National Assembly.
Held from 29 September to 3 October, the Assembly invites First Nations peoples, church leaders, clergy and non-Indigenous Catholics to come together under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” — a powerful expression of faith, culture and unity where listening, learning and reconciliation take centre stage.
As the only national event led by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics, the NATSICC Assembly brings together a growing community of over 135,000 faithful. It offers spiritual formation, deep fellowship and connection — elements that are central to First Nations spirituality and to the wider Catholic tradition.
This year’s assembly also aligns with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, a global call to renewal and mercy. The assembly becomes not just a conference, but a pilgrimage of healing — honouring culture, spirituality, and the enduring strength of Elders and older people who carry the stories of both Church and Country.
At the heart of the assembly is a profound focus on elders — the wisdom-keepers, teachers and spiritual anchors of their communities. Their role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures mirrors the reverence that Catholics hold for elders in faith: as guides, leaders, and bearers of sacred tradition.
This deep cultural and spiritual alignment is reflected in the purpose of Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT), one of the major sponsors of the 2025 Assembly.
“Supporting the NATSICC Assembly is a meaningful expression of our commitment to reconciliation and shared healing. It’s about listening deeply, honouring culture, and co- creating pathways that enables older people to live life to the full,” said Monique Reynolds, CEO of Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT).
“As a not-for-profit organisation who has been providing aged care services for over 50 years, the partnership with NATSICC supports our commitment to Reconciliation and Laudato Si, building authentic relationships and fostering meaningful, lasting change in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering inclusive communities where every person is valued, every story is honoured, and every action builds a more just and compassionate society.”
National NATSICC Administrator Craig Arthur said they were blessed to have received Ochre Sponsorship from Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) – alongside ACU and the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle – for the Pilgrims of Hope Assembly.
