A pilgrimage reflection
Roby reflects on an amazing seven days through the very first ECM Pilgrimage 2023.
As I stood at table one morning sharing a coffee with a visitor at Emmanuel City Mission, he was sharing about his life and its many seasons. He was a proud Cherbourg man from the Wakka Wakka people. He spoke of the old days growing up in Cherbourg and how he would at times return there for various family occasions.
As he spoke I also heard of his ongoing struggle as a First Nations man, and the many trials he and his blood line had faced. This for me became fuel for a fire, whereby I felt myself scrambling in my thoughts as to what I could say and do in response.
As he spoke of his Cherbourg pride, I had an image of literally walking there from the very place we were sharing coffee. I could see that this measure and action of walking to this brothers very place of birth, could be the simplest, yet most profound way in which I could express my heart and dedication to he and his people.
I literally said to him, ‘brother, one day I’m gonna walk to Cherbourg, and I’m gonna honor you and your family…’ He didn’t believe me, and I wasn’t exactly sure what I was suggesting, however having now completed this walk, and in my tradition, using a pilgrimage framework, this for me has been an experience greater than I could have ever imagined sharing that coffee on that day many years ago.
With the pilgrimage stick having been presented to me by my dear friend and brother, Uncle Lloyd, wombat, at 2:45am the morning of the pilgrimage departure, myself and fellow pilgrims walked in honor and pride of not only Cherbourg people, but all First Nations people whom we had served, supported and built community with for the past 10 years in South Brisbane.
There were many highlights including, walking alongside fellow missionary Bishop Tim Norton, learning the Country and it’s many riches as we walked with Elder and Traditional Owner Uncle Joe Kirk, praying with our online community twice daily whereby we broadcast it live to the screen at Emmanuel City Mission as the team served, and finally reaching the destination of Cherbourg at 4pm Easter Saturday and receiving the most humbling and warmest of welcome from Pastor Max Conlan and his community whom hosted a concert, dinner and faith celebration.
I am still understanding what has taken place, and as we return the pilgrim stick to 19 Merivale Street South Brisbane, we do so with a deep connection and story.
This story is unfolding, and each day as we serve at ECM we serve with a richer conviction and understanding of what this pilgrimage has taught us along the way.
As we celebrated Mass with Bishop Tim and Fr Michael on Easter Sunday morning after returning from Cherbourg the evening before, there was a joy and life in each pilgrim. We knew that we had been filled with a grace that had surpassed all understanding, and in honoring our First Nations people, God had honored us.
