Several years of planning and co-operation between Shepparton Interfaith Network and Greater Shepparton City Council came to fruition with the opening of the Council's Multi Faith Prayer and Contemplation Room at the Welsford St offices.
Shepparton Interfaith Network was consulted by Council officers for advice about multifaith requirements for a quiet space, for contemplation and prayers. Members of the Interfaith network visited several proposed locations and offered comments about suitability and the requirements for a dedicated contemplation space.
Shepparton Interfaith Network (via the generosity of the Turkish Community Centre of Mooroopna) supplied a two volume copy of The Qu'ran, and a book of spiritual reflections by great spiritual identities in Ros Bradley's book, A World of Prayer.
Arrangements were made for provision of prayer mats and shawls for ladies to wear.
The Greater Shepparton City Council's Multi Faith Prayer and Contemplation Room was launched at the Welsford Street offices on Tuesday 18 March, 2014. Mayor Cr. Jenny Houlihan, councillors and staff from the Community Development Unit (past and present) were on hand, along with members of the Shepparton Interfaith Network.
Mayor Jenny Houlihan addressed the need for a space for contemplation and outlined the journey to the creation of this particular space and her hopes that it would find frequent use. Shepparton Interfaith Network President Frank Purcell spoke of the cultural history of Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley and the cultural mix of faith traditions, commencing with the construction and opening of the Albanian Mosque in 1965. Shepparton Council has always been responsive to the needs of the community, he said. Shepparton Interfaith Network President Frank Purcell then presented Mayor Jenny Houlihan with a copy of Ros Bradley's book, A World of Prayer.
Secretary of the Shepparton Interfaith Network, Chris Parnell spoke of the program of the Shepparton Interfaith Network in promoting the Golden Rule as a common value and practice of compassion towards the neighbour found across many religions of humanity. A Poster displaying the Golden Rule was then presented to Mayor Jenny Houlihan for display in the Multi Faith Prayer and Contemplation Room.
You can read a review of Ros Bradley's book, A World of Prayer
Mayor Jenny Houlihan addresses the launch of the Multi Faith Prayer and Contemplation Room as Frank Purcell looks on
Frank Purcell of the Shepparton Interfaith Network gives a copy of A World of Prayer
to Shepparton Mayor Cr. Jenny Houlihan. The Golden Rule Poster is in the background.
