Some thoughts on Halloween

trick or treatHalloween is an unofficial holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2021 occurs on Sunday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

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Sikhs across Victoria come together to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism’s founder

Hundreds of people from all over Victoria attended Bendigo's first Nagar Kirtan.The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, is being celebrated worldwide — and for the first time in Bendigo. A colourful parade with a decorated mobile Gurduara float complete with priest, hymn singing, and martial arts displays made its way through Bendigo, followed by hundreds of people from Melbourne to Mildura on Sunday.
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St Georges Road Food Festival

St Georges Road Food FestivalSt Georges Road Food Festival is an important event that helps bind those of different cultures and nations to come together in a common feast – the world on a plate. Join us at St Georges Road shopping precinct for the annual St Georges Road Food Festival which celebrates the diverse flavours and cultures that make Greater Shepparton. The Festival will take place at St Georges Road between 11AM and 4PM on Sunday 27 October.

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“Getting Good at Getting Older”: Jewish reflections on old age and new rituals for ageing

growing oldThe Torah considers old age a virtue and a blessing. Throughout the Torah, “old” (zakein) is synonymous with “wise”; the Torah commands us to respect all elderly, regardless of their scholarship and piety, because the many trials and experiences that each additional year of life brings yield a wisdom which the most accomplished young prodigy cannot equal. It describes Abraham as one who “grew old and came along in days” (Genesis 24:1)–his accumulated days, each replete with learning and achievement, meant that with each passing day his worth increased. Thus, a ripe old age is regarded as one of the greatest blessings to be bestowed upon man.

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Shepparton: United We Feast

AGMC LogoThe Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) are a national peak organisation that advocates for multicultural and multifaith LGBTIQ people and communities. Shepparton’s “United We Feast” event will be hosted on Thursday night October 31 at Philippine House from 6PM.

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Aboriginal and Catholic faiths blended in stained-glass window of Alice Springs church

Arrente Madonna and Child
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) Catholic church in Alice Springs has commissioned an Aboriginal artist from its congregation to design a new sanctuary window celebrating the blending of Catholic and Indigenous beliefs, to pay homage to its many Aboriginal parishioners

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Bendigo Nagar Kirtan (Sikh)

Sri Gur Singh Sabha Bendigo LogoBendigo’s Sikh community has organised the first ever Nagar Kirtan in Bendigo on Suday 20 October commencing from Ullambara Theatre, Park Road, and going to Rosalind Park. There will be activities for chilren and festive events. This parade is organised to celebrate the 550th Birth anniversary of Guru Nanak – The founder of Sikhism.
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Bendigo: Bicentenary of The Bab (Baha’i)

In 2019 Australian Baha’is are joining in worldwide celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Bab, the Herald of the Baha’i Faith. The Baha’i community of Greater Bendigo invites you to celebrate the Birth of the Bab at the Latrobe Arts Institute on the evening of October 29, 2019.
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Respect and Resilience: creating community cohesion and reducing violence

people in workshop sessionThe Greater Shepparton Community Safety Networks will deliver two sessions on Respect and Resilience during Community Safety Month – October 2019. The sessions will be delivered on Tuesday 22 October and Thursday 24 October.
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New reports give insights into the lives of Catholics

Profiles of CatholicsDrawing on Australian Bureau of Statistics data from the 2016 Census, the national Catholic social profiles provide insights into the demographics of the Catholic population in all 28 geographical locations (dioceses). The reports show that the lives of Catholics, individually and collectively, can vary widely in different parts of the country. There is a link to the profile of Catholics in the region administered for Shepparton.
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Modern slavery and people smuggling form backdrop to South-East Asia-set Australian film Buoyancy

Umbrella films - BuoyancyThe bleak world of South-East Asian people-smuggling might seem unlikely terrain for a coming-of-age adventure on the pirate fishing seas, but Australian director Rodd Rathjen has taken up the challenge — and attendant cultural risk — for his absorbing feature film debut, Buoyancy.
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