A Yarning Circle of Hope, Healing and Reconciliation

Catholic Mission marked the beginning of National Reconciliation Week across Australia with a special yarning circle to launch a new book of reflections by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic women.

HOPE: Unfinished Business was co-created by Kelly Humphrey, Dr Lisa Buxton and Lana Turvey-Collins bringing together the voices and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic women reflecting on the meaning of hope, healing, faith and renewal.

Launched at the Reconciliation Church in Phillip Bay, NSW, on 27 May, the intimate gathering was more than a traditional book launch, instead embodying the spirit of community that sits at the heart of the publication. As with any yarning circle, the gathering invited participants to a respectful conversation about hope, justice, reconciliation and belonging.

Inspired by the recent Jubilee Year of Hope, HOPE: Unfinished Business explores themes of identity, resilience, intergenerational trauma and the enduring strength found within community. Through storytelling, prayer, art and personal reflection, the publication offers an honest exploration of hope in the face of struggle and uncertainty.

The community launch reflected the very essence of the book – to share personally about the experience of hope. More than a celebration, it became a continuation of the stories themselves. As authors shared about their journey in writing their stories, the circle became more alive, bringing to life the oral traditions that have long carried wisdom, culture and faith across generations.

By inviting people to sit within that yarning circle, the authors invited them into something deeper than listening. Guests became part of stories of hope, carrying with them reflections on healing and the unfinished journey towards reconciliation. In this shared space, storytelling became an act of connection, reminding all present that hope is often nurtured collectively.

“While the book is titled HOPE: Unfinished Business, to me, being here today, and hearing the stories we have shared, feels like a step towards finishing that unfinished business,” shared Carol one of the attendees.

Kelly Humphrey, ACU Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), a proud Gomeroi woman and co-author of the book, shared that for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics, the Jubilee Year offered an opportunity to reflect on “the healing power of hope, and the role faith has played in our deep desire for change and reconciliation.”

Developed by the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at Australian Catholic University in partnership with Catholic Mission, formation.org.au and the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the publication stands as a contribution to the ongoing work of reconciliation and mission within the Church in Australia. It reminds readers that hope is not something held individually, but something built, sustained and strengthened through community.

For many who attended, the gathering offered more than an opportunity to hear stories. It became a space for reflection, encounter and belonging, where the power of listening created new connections between people and experiences.

“I was attracted by the theme of hope. Even after the results of the Voice Referendum, our Aboriginal brothers and sisters can remain hopeful for the future. This book is a great testament to their resilience,” shared Gabi one of the attendees.

Hope, in many ways, remains unfinished business. Yet through this meaningful community gathering, those stories were shared, honoured and carried forward, reminding all present that hope grows stronger when communities come together to listen, walk alongside one another and continue the story.

The book is now available for purchase at https://secure.stpauls.com.au/strathfield/hope-unfinished-business.html