Approaching the ninth month of the pandemic, we are faced with the challenge, yet again, of how to celebrate a holiday during a time of isolation and separation. As many families cancelled their annual Thanksgiving dinners with relatives in order to remain safe, we continue to experience the ongoing sense of loss and grief. I am not sure we will ever get to a stage of acceptance.
What do people really think about immigration to Australia?
One of the side-effects of the Coronavirus pandemic has been a halt to people arriving from overseas – as the Ruby Princess debacle showed us, infection and illness can come from peoples landing into Australia. This resulted in a halt to all immigration, and a very slow restart to “Talent Ready” migration in certain classes of skilled workers. The Conversation, through a guest writer, provides an analysis of what people think and feel about immigration to Australia.
Pope Francis joins 25 countries to fight against poverty and hunger in first round of pledges to IFAD
Rome, 11 December 2020 – Despite the economic consequences of COVID-19, a growing number of countries around the world today stepped up their investments in long-term development, signalling a greater awareness of the links between hunger, inequality and instability which often spark humanitarian crises. By pledging new funds to the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), they committed to ensure hundreds of millions of rural people in some of the poorest countries can sustainably access nutritious food and earn decent incomes.
16 Days: global voices ring strongly against gender-based violence
The 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Christmas tree, Nativity scene lit up in St. Peter’s Square
St. Peter’s Square was aglow on Friday evening, as a host of onlookers beheld the lighting of this year’s creche and Christmas tree.
Gesher 2020 – Religion & Ecology: Community in a Time of Crisis
Gesher is the official journal of The Council of Christians and Jews (Victoria) Inc. The Annual journal Gesher 2020, Issue 3, Religion & Ecology: Community in a Time of Crisis is now online, along with the other issues from earlier this year and previous editions.
Christmas Island Youth Summit
On Saturday 28 November and Sunday 29 November, Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network of Western Australia – MYAN WA, Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia and 3 amazing Shout Out speakers headed off to Christmas Island to run the Christmas Island Youth Summit!
Pope Francis: COVID-19 invites us to return to reality, and to dream of a better future
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.
