serving the faith communities of the Goulburn Valley
Vesak, a most important Buddhist festival is known as either Vesak, Wesak or Buddha Day, and is celebrated annually on the full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha, which usually falls in May, or in early June. There will be a celebration of Vesak in Queens Gardens, Shepparton, on Sunday, 3 May.
In commemoration of the Anzac Centenary 1915-2015, the Shepparton Interfaith Network will conduct a Public Forum Harder Auditorium, Fryer St, Shepparton on Wednesday, 15 April at 7:30PM.
This coming time of Easter is the major festival of the Christian religion. It is also the time of Passover of the Jews, the great event of the freedom of the Jewish nation from tyranny and the passing of the Red Sea. This time at this year also marks several festivals from other religions and we give account of these festivals and greetings to religious communities of the Goulburn Valley at this festival time.
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Holy Week is the commemoration of the last week of Jesus Christ’s ministry on Earth. Holy Week is the last week of Lent. It begins with Palm Sunday and leads up to Easter Sunday. Many churches have special services commencing from Palm Sunday. On Thursday evening of Holy Week, there is a celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and the action of the passion of Jesus Christ is observed on Good Friday – with Stations of the Cross and a reading of the Passion of Christ from one of the gospels. Easter Day – the day of resurrection of Jesus, is obsevered sometimes at Midnight, often with a dawn service commemorating the Resurrection, and services on Easter Day itself. We bring a listing of services during Holy Week.
In March 2015, FECCA (Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia) will be holding a number of community consultations to gather information about the experiences of Australia’s migrants and refugees in accessing government programs and services. The FECCA Community Consultations will take place in Shepparton on 10 and 11 March 2015.
Voices for Harmony Shepparton will celebrate the United Nations World Day of Social Justice at Harder Auditorium, Fryer St, Shepparton on Friday, 20 February at 2PM.
The Shepparton Interfaith Network is saddened by the terror attacks at Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
These acts do not reflect the harmony and integration we experience in the Goulburn Valley among our many faith communities.
These acts are a betrayal of Islamic values and principles.
The Shepparton Interfaith Network sends condolences and prayers to the loved ones of those killed, those wounded, and the French people.
The 40th Celebration of Carols by Candlelight took place at Queens Gardens on the night of 21 December, before a festive crowd. There was much anticipation for the arrival of Santa, and the fireworks display. The fireworks lit up the night sky and was a stunning spectacle. The carols booklet had many stories of Carols by Candlelight from past years, and remembrances from participants. The fireworks display was sponsored by Goulburn Murray Credit Union. Photos from the festival of carols can be viewed.
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Around 500 people attended the Candlelight Vigil at Victoria Park Lake, Shepparton on the evening of Friday 19 December, held in commemoration for all involved in the Sydney Siege.
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In the wake of the Sydney siege and its potential backlash against Muslims, Shepparton academic and retired priest Frank Purcell remained positive and pointed to the lessons of history.
‘‘Australia has a long tradition of tolerance — and Shepparton is 50 years ahead of the rest of the country when it comes to accepting people from different religions and cultures,’’ Mr Purcell said.
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Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight for 2014 will be take place on the evening of 21 December 2014. Goulburn Murray Credit Union are sponsoring the fireworks display on the evening.
UN World Day of Tolerance was celebrated at SPC Ardmona Kidstown on 14 September with students from Sirius College and St Georges Road School, along with representatives of the community. In all, approximately 250 people were in attendance.
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The official opening of Shepparton’s new St Paul’s African House took place on Thursday, 30 October at Poplar Ave, Shepparton. A large crowd of Shepparton's African community joined Jeanette Powell MP, Member for Shepparton and other dinitaries for the opening.
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Report Racism aims to create an environment where you can feel confident and safe to report any cases of racism you experience or witness (including racial discrimination and vilification).
Report Racism is a third party reporting initiative which means that people can report racism online or at a local community organisation as well as directly to Victoria Police or the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Report Racism is trialling this initiative with the Aboriginal community. The Commission has partnered with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and Victoria Police. Report Racism is being trialled in two locations – Northern Melbourne (City of Yarra, Darebin and Whittlesea) and Shepparton.
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Two new worship and community centres are presently under construction and nearing completion in Shepparton. The Afghani Community are constructing a new mosque in Shepparton which will also serve as a Community Centre.
The Shepparton Interfaith Network, along with Imam Yassim Alkarawi of Cobram, have responded to the actions of the self-proclaimed "restoration of the caliphate" and given reflections on what this issue raises for the communities of the Goulburn Valley and the need for dialogue and understanding. The Shepparton Interfaith Network joins in with the Roman Catholic Church's interfaith body - called the Pontificial Council for Interreligious Dialogue - in their condemnation of barbarity and atrocities committed. We seek harmony, cooperation and understanding to the effect that this does not represent the attitudes of the Islamic Communities of the Goulburn Valley.
The Vatican interfaith bureau (called the Pontificial Council for Interreligious Dialogue) has condemned the atrocities accompanying the restoration of the self-declared "caliphate". The Council calls on all people engaged in interreligous dialogue to denounce and condemn the practices of the so-called "caliphate".
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The Shepparton Interfaith Network was invited by the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to appear and make submissions to the Committee during its visit to Shepparton, which took place on Wednesday, 13 August 2014. Appearing for the Shepparton Interfaith Network were the President, Dr Frank Purcell, PhD, and the Secretary, Rev. Chris Parnell. A submission was made to the effect that the constitution, by way of preamble or insertion of a new section into the constitution, should recognise the spiritual dimensions of the cultures, languages and heritages which give purposeful meaning to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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Australian born Buddhist Nun Ven. Robina Courtin will give a talk on Courageous Compassion at Mooroopna Community Hub on the evening of 23rd September 2014.
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It’s disheartening to persons of faith that something as beautiful as religion, which brings so much peace to its adherents, can equally be used to fuel hatred and conflict. But such is the case. One need only think of Sunnis and Shias in Iraq, of Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar, and of the rise of anti-Muslim parties in Europe, even in such supposed bastions of liberalism as Denmark. In this time of Ramadan, when 1.6 billion Muslims enter a special sacred season of discipline and reflection, all people of faith should confront this contradiction.
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On Wednesday 25 June 2014, Greater Shepparton City Council in partnership with the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group and Ethnic Council Shepparton & District, conducted the Respecting Difference Forum as part of the Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity Project. This took place at the Rumbalara Football and Netball rooms at Mercury Drive.
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