Interfaith Prayer Rituals Highlight the International Day of Peace and Non-Violence
Saturday, September 21, 2013
St. Mary of the Mount Parish, Sullivan Hall 131 Bigham St, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
The International Day of Peace, observed globally every year on September 21st, has a history of positive influences and peaceful gatherings throughout the world. Last year, it is estimated that over 280 million people in 189 countries marked the International Day of Peace in some manner.
The Pittsburgh 2013 observance will commence at St. Mary of the Mount’s Sullivan Hall,131 Bigham Street at 7:00 PM. An international flag ceremony with 195 national flags, carried by attendees, will highlight the need for all nations to live together in peace. A candle lighting ceremony and reading of names of local residents lost to violence from September 22, 2012 to September 21, 2013 will follow, symbolizing the need for Peace in the neighborhood.
The congregation will participate in the blessing of a Peace Pole inscribed with the universal invocation, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in four languages. An interfaith service featuring various religious peace rituals, including prayer, dance and song, will communicate the emphasis on peace in all religious traditions. The Meeting Room at Sullivan Hall will be open the entire day for a 24-Hour Peace Vigil between the hours of 12:01AM Saturday through midnight Saturday.
Individuals, families and groups are welcome to share in this celebration through meditation, peaceful contemplation or peace celebration. All are invited to attend.
The International Day of Peace Community Peacebuilding Award will be presented to Ms. Frances Sutter by the organization Pittsburgh North People for Peace. There are more than 1200 centers for spiritual worship in Pittsburgh. The International Day of Peace offers an excellent opportunity to stress peace, justice and non-violence as well as interfaith cooperation.
For further information, please visit the International Day of Peace website at http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/ or contact Sister Barbara Finch at 412-716-9750 or George D’Angelo at 412 849-3600