FREO’S HISTORIC SCOTS CHURCH

 

 

The light and sky are quite wonderful today, so when I stood outside the Fremantle Markets waiting to meet someone I took this photo of the Scots Presbyterian Church on the corner of Parry Street and South Terrace.

It was built in 1890 and designed by the then famous Talbot Hobbs architects.

Roel Loopers

BIBLE MUSEUM FOR FREMANTLE PROPOSED

 

Could Fremantle become the new Mecca for Christians with a new Bible Museum?

I have been told that an application has been lodged with the City of Fremantle for a Bible Museum at Victoria Hall.

In an extensive document the applicants say the Bible Museum revolves around the Reid Family Bible Collection which has collated over 3,000 bibles and other biblical items over the past 40 years.

There would be a guided tour on mobile app and exhibitions in Chinese, Indian and other Asian languages. There are also bible translations in many Aboriginal languages.

The proponents say this would be a unique tourist attraction for Fremantle that would also attract many school groups.

To preserve historic Victoria Hall the displays would be free standing and not attached to the walls.

Some critics of Fremantle might well argue that Freo only will have a future with divine intervention, so a Bible Museum might just be the start.

Roel Loopers

NEW ANGLICAN SCHOOL FOR FREMANTLE?

 

A proposal to establish a new low-fee co-educational Anglican school in the Fremantle CBD is currently under consideration by the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC).

“The ASC is keen to bring our brand of school to the community of Fremantle. Our schools provide outstanding teaching and learning in a safe, caring Christian environment.”

 The proposed new school would open in the next five years, initially catering for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6, and expanding to Year 12 thereafter.

 It will be a multi-storey campus in the heart of Fremantle, providing a unique and creative learning environment which expands beyond the school grounds.

Tuition fees are estimated to be in the range of $6,000 – $9,000 in the primary school and $10,000 to $12,000 in the secondary school.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JJXWRBT?fbclid=IwAR04NmdOC_Q4yf6vfP0x69pAOCYCz0PQxwQDX5tgPv_d5DAk2o_Z1zh-rQY

Roel Loopers

RED TAPE PREVENTS LOOPY RESURRECTION

 

Easter is a time of contemplation, and even more so for me this year because I have hardly been able to participate in the Fremantle Street Arts Festival due to sciatica and hay fever medication, which when combined made me feel like a zombie today.

But I was thinking how lucky JC, the one from the Bible, was that red tape and nanny-state did not exist when he was resurrected, because it would probably not be allowed in our modern and very restrictive times.

As a forward-looking and future-focused person I have of course started to plan my own resurrection, but red tape has made it extremely frustrating.

I admit that the Fremantle Planning Department in the past have issued warnings about the demolition by neglect of my own heritage body, but surely they could be a bit more flexible when it comes to my resurrection.

My planning/resurrection application for a slim 210cm body with great film star looks was considered to be unrealistic and the additional discretionary height-up from 175cm- was rejected because there was no evidence that my new looks would be anywhere near as good as the architect’s plans suggested. Dare I mention that there was also  extremely strong community opposition to my resurrection. There was even a petition with 57,000 signatures, which shows not even the people in mediocre Cockburn and Melville like me!

I did go to JDAP and SAT but they too believed my resurrection was of no great benefit to the Fremantle community. It’s a shame, because now you will all be missing out on another long weekend after Loopy is a goner. 😡😍 😴😲 😇 😳

I hope you had a brilliant long weekend in Freo!

Roel Loopers

PS:  I was raised a Protestant and was Christened, so absolutely no intention to be disrespectful to the believers! It’s just a bit of lighthearted fun. Relax.

CHRISTMAS EVE CAROLS AND MASS AT NOTRE DAME

 

CHRISTMAS EVE MASS AND CAROLS at Fremantle’s Notre Dame University at 6pm today.

Everyone is welcome in the Malloy Courtyard at 32 Mouat Street.

Roel Loopers

SLIDE SHOW BLESSING OF THE FLEET

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Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE BLESSING OF THE FLEET PROCESSION

 

 

It is amazing to think that the Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet is 70 years old, as old as I am.

I love the beautiful tradition every year when the procession parades from the St Patrick’s Basilica to the Fishing Boat Harbour. It is very special for the entire Fremantle community.

Mayor Brad Pettitt, Councillor Bryn Jones and Labor MP Josh Wilson took part, and Councillor Jeff McDonald was also on the scene.

I am only operating on 25% so had to take it slow, so here the photos I managed to get today.

Roel Loopers

THOUGHTFUL ABRAHAM DAY AT NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY

 

 

The third ABRAHAM DAY was held at Fremantle’s Notre Dame University on Wednesday afternoon and attracted 200 people.

Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costello, the Chief Rabbi of WA Daniel Lieberman and Langford Islamic College teacher Sheikh Muhammad Agherdien talked about the topic of the day; How do people of faith engage in a secular society?

NDA’s Vice Chancellor Celia Hammond said that Abraham provides a meeting point for the three religions, but she was concerned about the dwindling number of people who embraced religion, with 30 per cent of Australians stating they are non believers. She said the data did not show us why this is the case and how it impacts on society.

Archbishop Costello said that for people with faith their heart must be in the right place to engage with a secular society, and that it is the duty, privilege and right of Catholics to propose their belief to society.

Rabbi Lieberman said that people of belief are different, as Abraham was in his life, but that his preaching has been that through believers all the children will be blessed. “Humility is understanding your place in society”

Sheikh Agherdien said that silence is sometimes the best answer, as we all know from personal relationships. Abraham was involved and engaged and asked questions. The great teachers of the past engaged across cultures and religions and that needs to happen today in our secular society.

A question about euthanasia initially received only a one word response-NO-from the archbishop, but he later said it was not permissible to take someone else’s life.

Rabbi Lieberman said we are allowed to be angry and question why God allows things to happen, while Archbishop Costello said that he does not question God, but sometimes he does question people, the church and religious institutions.

Sheikh Agherdien said that the ultimate reality is perfection, but we are human beings and if we don’t have the issues of war, infidelity, crime, etc. what is there to aspire for.

Archbishop Costello said that one had to honour, respect and tolerate different faith and that it opens you up to the richness of the other religion and culture and see the beauty in other traditions.

There is always plenty to contemplate and think about after Abraham Day, even for a non believer like I. I wonder though if there is a correlation between fewer people embracing religion and fewer people joining political parties, and if the issues are not very similar. Is it not so that many people are nor walking away from God or politics, but are more and more rejecting political and religious leaders and religious institutions and political parties, because they believe that they are too remote from the realities of our daily life and often seem to act hypocritically?

Roel Loopers

 

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS LECTURE AT NOTRE DAME FREMANTLE

 

 

Your invitation to Notre Dame’s Distinguished Scholars Lecture with Professor Tracey Rowland

“What is the sensus fidelium?”

Professor Rowland will explore Cardinal Newman’s idea that the laity have an understanding of the faith which can be a valuable asset for the Church in times of doctrinal confusion and crisis. This idea is often described in theological short-hand as the ‘sensus fidelium’.

Wednesday 8 August | 6pm

Venue: The University of Notre Dame Australia, Tannock Hall of Education (ND4, Corner Cliff and Croke Streets), Fremantle

RSVP: Melissa Southcott at fremantle.philosophytheology@nd.edu.au
or 08 9433 0138 by Friday 3 August 2018.

MEET THE MONK AT REPLANTS

 

 

Lobsang Phuntsok, one of the ten Buddhist monks selected by the Dalai Lama to travel the West to teach Buddhism, will be at REPLANTS in 96 Wray Avenue, Fremantle on Sunday May 6 at 6 pm.

Tickets are by donation and a light vegetarian meal will be served during the evening.

For more information see poster above.

Roel Loopers