Interfaith Council holds World Day of Prayer service

(L to r) Marilyn Virts, Germaine Gaudreau, Beverly Fedorowicz, Rev. Susan Feurzeig, Pat Grohe and Lorraine Fox. Photo by D. Coffey.

The Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council held a service at Maple Courts in Danielson to commemorate the World Day of Prayer on March 1. The WDP is a worldwide movement of Christian women of different cultures and races. Women in more than 170 countries gather together on the first Friday in March to celebrate it.

Each year a host country chooses a theme and prepares a worship service around it. A French committee prepared the 2013 program, centering it on passages from Chapter 25 in the Gospel of Matthew: “I was a stranger among you.” The service included songs, prayers of praise, requests for forgiveness, and a short meditation.

Coordinating the event locally was Deacon Barbara Schreier from the United Methodist Church in Danielson, Beverly Richardson of St. James Catholic Church, and Margaret Weaver of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Dayville. Richardson showed a brief video illustrating the diversity of religions, cultures and races of the people who call France home. The WDP service is meant to encourage openness and dialogue between people of different faiths and countries. Education is part and parcel of that mission. Since 1932, specific countries have chosen themes around which to build a worship program.

Several residents of Maple Court attended the service. Congregate Manager Pat Rocheleau said the Interfaith Council has been bringing church to its residents for years. “Faith is a very important part of all our lives,” she said. “My tenants in particular, and many tenants at Maple Court, don't have transportation, so they can't get to church.”

Germaine Gaudreau joined the service and found herself reading part of the committee's prepared script with five other women. “I'm not religious, but I have a lot of faith,” she said. “It's a nice feeling you get when you join with a group of believers.”

Jeannette Heon was one of more than 20 residents who attended the service. “We believe in the same God,” she said with a shrug. “Too many people don't go to church. They don't believe. Maybe if people prayed a little bit more, it would help.”

KBIC member Pat Grohe said the theme struck close to home. “When you think about the trouble this country is having with immigration issues, it's a good thing to be praying about,” she said.