serving the faith communities of the Goulburn Valley
The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance day declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. It is observed on 16 November. Tolerance is an expression, a behaviour, an attitude, a value of non-violence. It expresses peace in the community and the capacity to live together with differences. In 2024, this day focuses on encouraging dialogue and understanding, particularly among young people, to build a more inclusive future.
The 2024 Climate Change Conference began in Azerbaijan on November 11. On each day, Prayers and Meditations will be held for the welfare of our Earth and for the welfare of all who have suffered the impact of climate extremes. We will pray for our Earth, we will pray for our Cities, we will pray for our forests, and we will pray for all life-forms on Earth and in the Seas. The weekly prayers up to 5 November have been exceedingly well supported. Now, we continue for the duration of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, daily. All welcome to join.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted a few photos on his X handle of himself celebrating the Bandi Chhor Divas, a big day for the Sikh community, on Friday (November 1). Albanese visited Sydney’s Murugan Temple where he celebrated Diwali with the Tamil Australian community. “Deepavali celebrates the victory of light over darkness”.
Pope Francis’ child protection board called Tuesday for victims of clergy sexual abuse to have greater access to information about their cases and the right to compensation, in the first-ever global assessment of the Catholic Church’s efforts to address the crisis.
The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors issued a series of findings and recommendations in its pilot annual report, zeroing in on the church in a dozen countries, two religious orders and two Vatican offices with detailed analysis.
Addressing a world faced with consumerism, division and artificial intelligence, Pope Francis urged faithful to “return to the heart” in his new encyclical, “Dilexit Nos” (“He Loved Us”). “In a word, if love reigns in our heart, we become, in a complete and luminous way, the persons we are meant to be, for every human being is created above all else for love. In the deepest fiber of our being, we were made to love and to be loved,” the pope wrote.
The World Council of Churches takes up its mission to make Churches and Christian faith communities open and accessible to all, free of bias, discrimination and Xenophobia. Here, the World Council of Churches releases a paper on mitigating unconscious biases for Churches.
The World Council of Churches continues on the long legacy of their commitment to contribute to the dismantling of racial prejudices, racial discrimination, systemic racism, xenophobia, casteism, and all other forms of discrimination in ecumenical faith communities.
Working for the prevention of family and domestic violence is a key strategic priority for Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV). To highlight the ongoing importance for the Catholic community to take action on response and prevention, an open letter from Cathy Humphrey, Chair of CSSV Council and Felicity Rorke, Chair of the CSSV Domestic Violence Working Group has been written. It draws on a number of statements by Church leadership and urges reflection and change.
The Combined Churches of Greater Shepparton offer an evening session exploring deeper spiritual questions and seeking meaningful answers at the Salvation Army, each Wednesday evening at 6pm. A free dinner is given at the session. You are cordially invited to a combined Christian churches “Alpha” group each Wednesday evening.
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Asma Lamrabet is a Moroccan female liberation theologian whose exploration of the concept of Taqwā in the context of the Qur’anic vision of equality offers profound insights into the nature of humanity’s spiritual journey. She posits that the Qur’an presents an unequivocal stance on the equality of all human beings before the Creator, transcending factors such as race, ethnicity, skin colour, and gender. Dr Adis Duderija gives an account of the work of Asma Lamrabet of Morocco.
Should the tit-for-tat cycle of violence continue, the blow-back will hurt not only Israel’s efforts to attain safety and security for its citizens, but the prospects for a political future for the Palestinians. A year has passed, what will bring peace to this region? Here, Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney writes this Op-Ed.
The Contemplative Studies Centre at the University of Melbourne will host an enlightening talk by Cyprian Consiglio, a Camaldolese Benedictine Monk on Wednesday 13 November commencing 5.30-7.00pm. This is an in-person event.
One year after the Hamas attacks on southern Israel, World Council of Churches called on all member churches and partners, and all people of faith and good will, to pray and act for peace in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon.
The Australian Association of Buddhist studies presents a lecture series on Meditation and the future of contemplation. Professor David Germano from the University of Virginia is the holder of the 2024 University Buddhist Education Foundation (UBEF) Visiting Professorship in Buddhist Studies. As part of this Professorship, there will be a lecture series in the John Woolley Rogers Room (N397) of the John Woolley Building (A20) at the University of Sydney on 17, 22, 24 and 29 October. These lectures will be hybrid sessions.
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A Catholic Response to Human Trafficking: Listen to an interview with Sr Noelene Simmons SM, of ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans). Sister Noelene discusses how it happens in the modern world, and what people of every faith can do about it.
The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations observance every year on 21 September. The theme for World Peace Day 2024 is Cultivating a Culture of Peace. The faith communities of Shepparton – and the Shepparton Interfaith Network – actively seek peace and harmony in our nation, Australia, and in the World.
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Calm in the City have been holding daily Days of Peace meditations in the anticipation of UN World Day of Peace. To close off the 100 Days of Peace meditations held every evening (8.30-9.00pm AEST) in the run up to UN Peace Day, you are especially invited to join us for a culmination event.
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Catholics from China, Vietnam and Malaysia who attended Pope Francis’ September 12 Mass in Singapore are hoping the pontiff might also become the first pope to visit their respectives countries, as well.
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The National Council of Churches in Australia has released a Public Statement, below, regarding the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel.
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The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites people and churches all over the world to pray, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people in the Holy Land during the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. The week includes the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September.
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