Jumma Mabarak; wominjeka!

​A blessed Friday is how the Ides of March began as the Parish of Gisborne hosted a busload of good friends from the Broadmeadows Women’s Community House. 
 
Many of the people were Muslim refugees and asylum seekers, and at least 2 women were Christian women from Mosul.
 
Organised by the Parish of Gisborne Refugee Support Group, with assistance from Anglicare, the day was off to a fresh start as people gathered at St John’s, Riddells Creek. 
 
Enhanced by the presence of several year 8 students from Braemar College, Woodend, the day was organised to celebrate our common prayers and desire to be people of peace.
 
Fr Dennis Webster welcomed the group in both Arabic and Woiwurong before a hearty Hal’al morning tea was served.
 
Activities included games and activities for the children, access to the Charity’s Secret Op Shop for clothing, and a pleasant walk on the banks of a local lake feeding both ducks and the notorious geese of Riddells Creek. 
 
During the day, news filtered through about the attack on the mosques in Christchurch. 
 
It was indeed a blessed Friday in terms of sharing together, but our thoughts and prayers indeed turned to our sisters and brothers in Aotearoa. 
 
Gifts from the Parish as well as from Anglicare were made to the families at the end of the day. 
 
It is our prayerful hope that many more friendships and accepting of who we are will continue to foster the world of peace and harmony. 

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