To go to the margins in a concrete way allows you to touch the suffering and the wants of a people, but it also allows you to support and encourage the potential alliances that are forming. The abstract paralyses, but focusing on the concrete opens up possible paths, writes Pope Francis.
Hanukkah – Pillars of Light
The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. The Atrium at Federation Square, Melbourne, will be live-streaming the Menorah lighting each evening commencing Thursday, 10 December from 7:30pm.
Tasmania – December 2020
Greetings of peace!
Many good wishes for the holy days coming up for many faith traditions: Hanukkah (Jewish Festival of Lights), the Summer Solstice, Christmas, including the Orthodox celebrations and the many different New Years.
This is always a special time of the year, partly because it brings families together (and our blessing is that we can come together at this time) and partly because of the opportunity it gives us for quietness and reflection.
May you, your families and your communities stay safe and well, happy and prosperous over these next few weeks and enjoy a peaceful, healthy and happy start to 2021.
Uplifting Videos: LEARN TO BE HAPPY AGAIN!
Based on the widely acclaimed book ‘Breaking Through The Darkness – how to defeat depression, anxiety and stress: a spiritual perspective’ (Amazon) this website offers hope to those who want to improve their mental wellbeing by highlighting the crucial part spiritual intelligence can play in helping us to return to a state of happiness and … Read more
Victoria: Spirit Harmony Multicultural Festival Australia
Sangam Kala Group Australia Inc in association with Victorian Multicultural Commission, State Govt of Victoria & City of Kingston presents a Virtual Spirit Harmony Multicultural Festival Australia which will be broadcasted via multiple social media channels from 4th-6th December. Enjoy cross-cultural diverse stage performances, fun & acts by Australian, Indian & all singers, dancers, actors, musicians and health lovers.
Vatican’s New Website Dedicated to ‘Fratelli Tutti’
Fratelli tutti (All Brothers) is the third encyclical of Pope Francis, subtitled “on fraternity and social friendship”. In the document, Francis states that the COVID-19 pandemic has proven the failure of the world to work together during this crisis. The document was signed on 3 October 2020, on the occasion of Pope Francis’s visit to the tomb of his namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi, and was published the following day, the saint’s feast day. This encyclical now has its own website.
Interfaith Rainforest – Colombia Conference
The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative is conducting an online conference. The IRI Colombia 2020 National Conference, where national and global experts will discuss the vital importance of the Amazon rainforest and the work that IRI Colombia – Iniciativa Interreligiosa Para Los Bosques Tropicales is doing to mobilize action across the country to protect forests and the rights of indigenous peoples. Online on 3 December 2020. All interested persons are invited.
Covid: What Happens When Summer Heatwaves Strike?
If the predictions are true and this summer proves to be extraordinarily hot, more people than ever before will be working from heated-up homes instead of air-conditioned office buildings.
It is crucial to develop concrete ideas for how the urban population can safely navigate the summer.
The long-term goal for livable cities in line with SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) must be green-blue infrastructure, which not only benefits climate change adaptation and mitigation (SDG 13) but also gives us space for leisure and recreation, and ultimately contributes to human health and well-being (SDG 3).
STORIES BEYOND COVID – Celebration of life
The Islamic Council of Victoria will conduct a Video Festival from February 15-21, in 2021. Diverse communities across Victoria are invited to share their experiences of Covid-19 and the unique ways of coping taken up. Video submissions are invited before 31 December 2020.
Victoria: Stand Together, Safe and Equal: Interfaith Webinar
The Darebin Interfaith Council and the Hume Interfaith Network join to present an online webinar on the importance of gender equality in promoting healthy relationships and safety for women, online, on Thursday, 3 December 2020.
NSW: Standing United against domestic and Family Violence
The NSW Ecumenical Council’s Overcoming Domestic and Family Violence Commission is hosting the inaugural Standing United Against Domestic and Family Violence Conference on Tuesday, 1 December, 2020.
Online prayer service on World AIDS Day
The World Council of Churches will host an online prayer service on World AIDS Day, observed this year on 1 December. The Prayer Service is available for download and reading during the livestreaming.