The opening school mass at Xavier Catholic College took place a week ago. It was a very special event for me as I have only been witness to how Mass is run in main stream environments. It was great to see a blend of influences from both Tiwi and traditional English.
We were supposed to walk down the main street as two schools MCPS (Primary School) and Xavier to the new Church which holds Mass several times a week and at 5pm on Sundays, however, the weather gods were out in force and it was rain as what has been usual business for the last 3 weeks straight. so both schools merged under our Basketball hanger for the celebration of the Mass to begin our school year.
Several things happened that were different to "normal Mass" lets call it.. The entrance hymn was instead performed by local Tiwi Strong women and year 7 students perfroming a spirit dance. this was well done and it was great to see the year 7 students take pride in this part of the Mass.
The greeting of the Gospel was also done differently. I feel it was done even better the mainstream churches. A young MCPS boy with two other primary school students with a local Tiwi man moved down the aisle of the makeshift church to the beat of clap sticks and chanting, all the while dancing/stomping to the beat. This part of the Mass was more signigficant to me in a way because of the blending of church and Tiwi dance.
after Eucharist and mass has ended, all new staff members to the two schools were invited to stand in front of the assembled staff and students to receive a welcome gift from the local strong women. Strong women are local leaders in the church community and keep traditional ways strong as well as working within the context of the Catholic church. We were given depending on our gender either a headband (female) or arm bands (male) which were hand made by the women from Pandanus grass and cockatoo feathers. This was a moment I shall remember for a long time.
Until next time...
"Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present" - Albert Camus