Pope begs world leaders to provide coronavirus relief

Pope Francis prays the rosary for an end to coronavirus


Pope Francis begged world leaders on Saturday to act wisely and generously to provide social and economic relief for the many workers who have lost jobs, and called for the enormous sums of money used to grow and perfect armaments be instead used to fund research to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.

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International student who received help from Melbourne Sikh temple says it ‘changed my life’

Hoppers Crossing Sikh TempleRidden by financial hardship, Indian student Dhruv Dwivedi reached out to a gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Melbourne for help. Almost immediately, he says he received food, mentoring and immense love that has altered the course of his life.
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Covid -19 Public Webinar Series

Small University of Melbourne Logo WhiteThe University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health conducts the School of Rural Health in Shepparton. The Department of Rural Health is presenting a Public Webinar Series on the experience and response to Covid-19 in Regional and Rural Australia. There will be three online webinars, commencing Tuesday, June 2nd.

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Shepparton Climate Change, Water Availability and Community Resilience Forum

water - flood - and droughtThe impacts of water constraints on the Murray-Darling Basin are still being felt across our communities. Farmers for Climate Action is running the Shepparton Community Resilience forum to support communities and people still grappling with reduced water allocations and drought.
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Shavuot: Jewish Festival of the Giving of the Torah

studying the torah

The holiday of Shavuot is a two-day holiday, beginning at sundown of the 5th of Sivan and lasting until nightfall of the 7th of Sivan (May 28–30, 2020). In Israel it is a one-day holiday, ending at nightfall of the 6th of Sivan.

The word Shavuot (or Shavuos) means “weeks.” It celebrates the completion of the seven-week Omer counting period between Passover and Shavuot.

Shavuot, the feast of weeks, is celebrated seven weeks after the second Passover seder. Although Shavuot began as an ancient grain harvest festival, the holiday has been identified since biblical times with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.

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National Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week 2020

In this together - National Reconciliation WeekNational Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June 2020 National Reconciliation Week is an annual celebration and is a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories. National Sorry Day  is a nation-wide observance held on May 26 each year. Shepparton’s Sorry Day event – usually held in Monash Park – will be held online this year.

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Message of Grand Mufti of Australia on occasion of Eid-al-Fitr

Dr Ibrahim Abu MohammadDr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad – Grand Mufti of Australia – delivers a message to all Muslims in Australia that they support the Oneness of our Australian Community as well as the Oneness of God. Eid Ul-Fitr is the Muslim festival which marks the end of the month of Ramadan, the end of fasting and a celebration to mark the completion of a month of self-reflection. It falls on this Sunday 24 May 2020.
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National Reconciliation Week – Mr Shane Charles

University of Melbourne logoThe theme for NRW 2020 is In this together and Reconciliation Australia invites Australians to explore our past, learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and develop a deeper understanding of our national story. The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health invite you to a webinar presentation by Mr Shane Charles at 10:30am on Wednesday 27th May 14, 2020. There will be an opportunity for Q & A at the end of the presentation.
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Judaism: How I’m Finding Blessings Amid the Separation

ChallahAs challenging as these days of quarantine have been, I take comfort in the many ways this strange time of separation have enabled us – however ironically – to come together. Here are a few of the “blessings of separation” I’ve experienced in the age of COVID-19.
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Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

American Institute of Vedic Studies

The Covid-19 Pandemic is causing a massive loss of life, particularly for the elderly, and millions worldwide have tested positive for the virus. Yet the psychological suffering the pandemic causes may be as difficult as the physical suffering, writes Dr David Frawley of the American Institute of Vedic Studies.

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eFriend peer service, for those who are feeling anxious, lonely, isolate or distressed

eFriend illustrationAs part of the Australian Government’s mental health response to COVID-19, Independent Community Living Australia has launched its new eFriend service for all Australians aged 18 and over. eFriend is a free, virtual peer support service that provides Australians with non-clinical, peer-based mental health support. eFriend connects people to a consistent, trained peer support worker via video call, borrowing from the ‘befriending’ model used in the UK to help combat loneliness.
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Open Letter: Fund Aboriginal Responses to COVID-19

Indigenous Flag AustraliaThis letter comes from civil society groups supporting the urgent call from Aboriginal community organisations, services and community members. We urge the Government to immediately respond to requests and letters already sent to the Government in recent weeks by those dealing with the crisis on the frontline. We must ensure proper care of First Nations in the Coronavirus pandemic.
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In African communities, ‘there is no COVID-19 for a particular religion’

World Council of Churches Logo Using lessons learned from building health-competent faith communities and responding to the HIV and AIDS epidemic, African church leaders are doing their best to help their communities cope with the novel coronavirus. They are relying, in part, on practical guides and community-friendly reflections developed by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy Programme.
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International Nurses Day 2020

International Day of Nurses 2020 logo International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every year on 12 May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Here we bring you a complilation of multifaith prayers for nurses (and healthworkers) from the World’s Religions, along with the Nightingale Prayer, the flame of Florence Nightingale’s legacy.
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Nationwide Multi Faith Service for the Climate

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change Logo

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) invites you to be at the forefront of climate action in Australia. In this time of extreme adversity, people of faith can join together in the spirit of love, reverence and compassion.

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