The Ltyentye Apurte Community also known as Santa Teresa, is an Arrernte Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory. The girls packed light, shopped for a week's worth of food and we 4-Wheel drove down the very long and very red dirt road 85km out of Alice Springs. There, we met the remarkable Sister Liz, a Good Samaritan Sister who has lived with and in the community for 11 years. She has established the most unique connections with the Aboriginal community and especially the women in the Spirituality Centre. She is their biggest advocate and has made a tremendous impact with her mission work, a true servant leader.  

During the week we were encouraged to “Be more” and “Do less” a very tricky task when we are so task-orientated in our society. However, without any mobile reception, it became easier to “be more” as the week progressed and as Benedict urges us to “listen with the ear of our heart”. Each day we rotated around the places that needed some extra help and TLC. For example, we volunteered our time in the Community Centre, preparing and delivering lunches for the elderly in the community. We assisted in the Creche by minding the young children and doing the odd jobs such as cleaning the walls, windows and toys that can be quickly overlooked when you have 13 children to entertain all day. We sat and admired the works of art the ladies in the Spirituality Centre create daily with their special dot paintings on the crosses and other keepsakes, integrating Aboriginal Spirituality and Christianity. One day we also cleaned the Central Land Council’s boardroom which due to the big dust storm a few months back, was left to be untouchable – luckily 22 hands and legs got to work with a little bit of music to keep us going! The week was filled with many revelations and “uh-ha” moments as Sister Liz educated us on the struggle and injustices the community has and continues to endure and how we can make a difference by sharing our experiences and stamping out the stigma to those with whom we share their story. A highlight was the special campfire where we reflected on our Mother Earth and the beautiful star lit sky, counting our blessings. Also our trek up the mountain for sunrise and sunset to see a panoramic view of the town was very special, reaching the large cross on the top, witnessing the ceremony boundaries of rocks and feeling the sacred land speak to us. I am so humbled to have been a pilgrim on this journey to Santa Teresa and appreciate eternally the lessons offered to me.  

If you are interested in purchasing a beautiful cross in time for Christmas and supporting the ladies in the Spirituality Centre, they are $20 plus $2 postage. Please ask your daughter to bring in the money on Monday so we can place the order next week.  

Maria Boulatsakos - Year 7 Coordinator