The Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids is hosting an Interfaith Day of Prayer for Peace to unite the community in a time of racial and political division. The Grand Rapids celebration is part of a national Day of Prayer called for by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“It’s a very, very time of great stress for all of us and what the bishops are hoping is that when we turn around and ask what we can do about this, we can at least pray.”
That’s Father John Geaney, Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids. He says they’re hosting an interfaith Day of Prayer for Peace at St. Andrews as part of a national day of prayer. Father Geaney says it’s about finding ways to nurture honest conversations about race, gun violence along with economic opportunity. He’s inviting West Michigan Community leaders, law enforcement and residents to come.
“So, I think it will be a time of reflection and thoughtfulness and we hope will also help people to think about the very real issues in dealing with racism, police activity and how we have police and peace at the same time, all of these situations that we need to think about, pray about and hopefully resolve in some way.”
Father Geaney says the prayer service starts at 10am on Friday and members of all faiths are welcome and encouraged to attend.
“These questions are not just quote, “Catholic” questions. They are questions for all to deal with. So, we will have prayer for Muslims, prayer for our Jewish friends, Christians and Catholics , all of whom will be represented tomorrow.”
Father Geaney also says the day wraps up with a ringing of bells which will take place at 3 pm across the country as a reminder of the need for peace.
