INTERFAITH DIALOGUE & COOPERATION

THROUGH CLOSE ATTENTION TO PRAYER

Meeting #1 – House of Worship

Mindfulness Meditation

Raisin Meditation

Introductions

Name and Religious Tradition

Information about the project/prayer service

This is conversation NOT conversion…Dialogue NOT debate Mutual understanding

Discussion

Prayer in houses of worship

Types, meaning, etc.

Blessing

Meeting #2 – Home

Mindfulness Meditation

Loving-kindness Meditation

Introductions

Name & religious tradition

Catch-up

Why are we doing this? (Senior Seminar, Prayer, Dialogue, Attention)

What we discussed last time.

Conversation NOT conversion…Dialogue NOT debate Mutual understanding

Discussion

Prayer at home/in daily life

Blessing

Meeting #3 – Community

Mindfulness Meditation

Forest Visualization Script

Introductions

Name, faith tradition, type of prayer you are thinking about sharing

Catch-up

Brief update about what happened last meeting

Need to have planning meetings

Conversation NOT conversion…Dialogue NOT debate Mutual Understanding

Discussion

Prayer in community How does prayer effect how you act in community?

Blessing

Picture! For PR

Planning Meetings

We had 4 planning meetings, and people

attended as they were available.

PR – posters, emails, newsletter, speaking to

classes

Room Layout – semi-circle with stage, podium,

and PowerPoint

Order of prayer service

Program

Title of prayer, name, faith tradition, prayer

description

“WE ARE ONE” BY FR. LOUIS (THOMAS) MERTON

Melanie-Prejean Sullivan

Christian (Roman Catholic – “Interfaith Chaplain”)

While I was formed in and profess the Catholic faith, I have been involved with interfaith work since I was 15. At the invitation of a religious Sister, I became our school’s representative for the National Conference of Christians and Jews. I was profoundly affected by my study of Jewish tradition and believe One God’s creative energy is best understood through a multi-faith lens—unlimited love, varied rituals, and diverse teachings about the divine and human in relationship.

OSEH SHALOM

Lilly Pinhas and Benji Berlow

Jewish

Oseh Shalom is a prayer about peace that is

sung on Shabbat every week at services in

synagogues all over the world. We sing this

melody by Debbi Friedman every time we

go to services. We enjoy it because it is so

fun to sing and we like what it means.

A.C.T.S.

Camber Sollberger

Christian (Non-Denominational)

A.C.T.S. stands for Adoration, Confession,

Thanksgiving, and Supplication. My youth

minister taught me this prayer, and I try to use it

every night. It helps me to get in the right

mindset as I pray, supplication being last so I do

not focus on my will but God's. Today, I thought

participants could use this prayer format, and

everyone could speak their own prayers

out loud at the same time.

SURA FATIHA

Ayesha Wahidi & Samim Mohammadwali

Muslim

We use this surah from the Quran every day. It is

the opening surah of the Quran, and it's very

important. We say it in every one of our five daily

prayers. It is pretty meaningful to us because we

think it really keeps us grounded and aware of

our blessings.

CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY

Nathan Blaine

Christian (Roman Catholic)

This prayer is a newer Catholic prayer tradition from Polish St. Faustina of the early 20th century. While the prayer is distinctly Christian, it is a prayer with universal meaning, and is often used to pray for mercy, peace, and harmony throughout the world and among all. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is meant to bring Mercy to all in the whole world, with no restrictions to color, creed, or background. This prayer can be said at any time, but is especially important for Divine Mercy Sunday (Sunday after Easter) and the Hour of Mercy (3pm daily). This prayer is meaningful to me because it is recited after our family weddings, and is a prayer that I believe should be used more to encourage togetherness and spread the love and mercy of Christ to all.

TREE POSE YOGA PRAYER

Bridget Bard

Christian (Raised Roman Catholic, but no

longer practicing)

This meditation is focused on breathing

and engaging the whole body and soul.

Intentions are offered up with each breath

and it is a very personal way to connect

with a higher power and ask for help or

offer thanks. I wrote the prayer myself, but I

practice a similar set up in the yoga class

that I regularly attend.

ADORO TE DEVOTE (I DEVOUTLY ADORE YOU)

Madeline Haydon

Christian (Roman Catholic)

Adoro te devote is a Eucharistic prayer written by Saint Thomas Aquinas, that has been adapted to a hymn, which is typically sung either during the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass, or during the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This prayer expresses a great devotion to the Christ, who Catholics believe is truly present- body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Eucharist. I like this prayer because it shows St. Thomas' complete faith in the True Presence, which is, for me, perhaps the single most beautiful aspect of Catholicism.

THE SHEMA

Lilly Pinhas

Jewish

The Shema is the central prayer of every Jewish prayer service (morning, noon and night) and is one of two prayers that is commanded in the Torah for people to say. I have grown up with this prayer as a part of my life and have had it memorized for as long as I can remember. It is special to me because of its importance to Judaism, and because it is a reminder to always remember the word of God.

“THY WILL BE DONE” & “A CIVIL WAR SOLDIER’S PRAYER”

Kendra Egler

Christian (Roman Catholic)

As a history major, I am taking a Civil War class and, as I was doing some research, I came across these prayers. They really spoke to me and made me realize that, though these prayers were written over 100 years ago, I am still able to relate to them today. I, too, struggle with fully accepting and trusting in God’s plans. These prayers have somewhat helped me come to terms with that. The soldiers that wrote and prayed them at first struggled to see where God was leading them, but along the way they came to trust that He would lead them along His path and into His kingdom.

NATURE MEDITATION

Liz Yeske

Christian (Roman Catholic)

This nature meditation is a good alternative when

you don't have time to spend a day in a park.

When life gets stressful, I find balance by reflecting

on the beauty that God has created through

nature. This nature meditation speaks to me because it focuses on the little aspects of the forest

that show God's power and love for His creation,

things as small as the shadows created by leaves to

things as large as a crashing waterfall.

HIKE TO SOEKBULSA TEMPLE

Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty

Christian (Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. –Teaching Elder)

This prayer was written in Busan, Korea while I was attending the General Assembly of the World Council of Churches and reflects my investment in the ecumenical movement. I traveled to the meeting by myself, and one afternoon had time to take a three hour hike to a Buddhist Temple that was on a mountain above the city. The poem was written while I was sitting on a stone in the temple and taking in the view of the city. It was my prayer out of loneliness, my prayer of connection to a particular people, point in time and place, and my prayer of hope.

PASSOVER – CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSING

Sassa Rivera

Jewish (Reconstructionist)

It is tradition to recite this prayer during every Passover Seder, children are raised hearing this blessing from when they are born to when they depart from the home to create their own families. It holds special significance because it symbolizes the love of G-d by giving us strength and life on this special day as we remember back in slave times, when the L-rd'sspirit passed over his people. Though today we are in this place, next time we gather we hope to be in Israel!

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD & PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Evan Tillett

Christian (Roman Catholic)

Prayer for the Dead is a Catholic prayer for those that have died to help bring them eternal rest, and the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is a prayer that calls for peace. I came across the Prayer for the Dead during funerals that I've attended, and the Prayer of St. Francis from the Franciscan friars here at Bellarmine. These prayers are meaningful to me because the Prayer for the Dead helps me cope with the deaths of loved ones and the Prayer of St. Francis is my prayer for the world, a call for peace, which is desperately needed.

REFLECTION & DIALOGUE

Jessie Strassell

Christian (Roman Catholic)

I believe that God speaks to us through others, therefore, this prayer involves reflecting on what we have shared today and talking about our experiences of prayer together. I come across this type of prayer every day as I gather with friends and family, and meet new people. This prayer is meaningful to me because I rely heavily on the advice of my close friends and family, as well as the perspectives of my mentors and peers, in order to discern what I am being called to do.

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH

Lanie Sipes

Christian (Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. –

Seminarian)

Let There Be Peace On Earth is a song sung

by many people across various faith traditions. I remember singing this song at

my home church, and we sang it at the

2015 Parliament of the World's Religions as

well. I have always loved singing, and, for me, it is a form of prayer; this is a song that

expresses my prayer for the world...that

there be peace.

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me

Let there be peace on earth

The peace that was meant to be

With God our Creator

Neighbors all are we

Let us walk with each other

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,

Let this be the moment now;

With every step I take,

Let this be my solemn vow:

To take each moment and live each moment

In peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me

Let there be peace on earth

The peace that was meant to be

With God our Creator

Neighbors all are we

Let us walk with each other

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,

Let this be the moment now;

With every step I take,

Let this be my solemn vow:

To take each moment and live each moment

In peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

AS YOU LEAVE, PLEASE EXTEND PEACE TO ONE ANOTHER.

Hey!...

Shalom…

The peace of Christ be with you…

Ah-salam-alaikum…

Final Meeting – Reflections

Mindfulness Meditation

Finger Labyrinth

Introductions

Name and faith tradition

Reflection Questions:

What did you like?/What was most meaningful?

What would you change?

What have you learned?

Has this changed how you think about or approach prayer?

How has this changed how you relate to people of other faiths?

How will this experience continue to impact you, even after you leave Bellarmine?

Thanks! & Blessing

Student Reflections

Bridget Bard

I thoroughly enjoyed the Interfaith Prayer Service, but what I loved the most was the

planning process. The small meetings we had beforehand, were the most meaningful

aspect to me. In those meetings, no one had any stage fright or anxiety, and we could all

simply relax and have a quality conversation and learn about our peers. Being educated on

everyone before we all came together to perform the service, was a very important piece

to this event. If I had simply gone on stage and done a yoga prayer, with everyone having

no prior knowledge as to my faith tradition, the whole service would have lost its meaning.

We remained focused on mutual respect and understanding with each prayer, and that

was a beautiful sight to see. The only thing I would change about the service was that I

would try to advertise for it more. Many people would have loved to see what we put

together, but I don’t think word got out much about it. This should simply be seen as a goal

to be reached with the next event we participate in.

Student Reflections

Camber Sollberger

I loved being a part of the prayer service. Speaking in front of people always makes me nervous. I want to improve upon those skills and this was a perfect opportunity for me to do so. Not only that, but I was able to pray and learn of other's prayers. It was incredibly entertaining as well as informative. I learned a lot about different cultures and practices through our discussions and the service. I thought that an hour of speech would be draining; however, It went by so fast and at the end I found myself wishing it could last longer.

I think it could be improved only by rehearsal and if people finished their assignments in a more timely manner. I know that I myself waited until the last minute to turn in my prayer and even write the whole thing. It would have been easier for you if we, the participants, managed our time more wisely. If we got to run through everything as a group I think that would have made it flow better. However, that is very difficult to do in this setting because of how packed everyone's schedules are.

I loved the discussions because that is where I learned the most. Dialogue is so mind boggling sometimes. Being able to learn so much in such a short amount of time is a blessing. Maybe, if this was to be done again in the future, have more. I know a lot of people could not be present during the dialogues and it is very hard to find a time to have everyone meet. I would have loved to have longer, more frequent, more in depth discussions. Those were definitely my favorite part.

I will use this experience to push my knowledge and understanding out. I will be able to have more intelligent discussions with others and build upon the knowledge gained. I can use this later on in life if I ever need to set up something similar and make sure that it is inclusive and accepting. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of such an experience and learn from so many people.

Student Reflections

Sassa Rivera

My reflection on this project has been one of great impact:

Through this event I learned of the multiple sects and denominations of Christianity, and

how similar or different they are to my own faith. As a Jew I had basic knowledge of

Christian Worship, but by participating in the conversations and planning process for the

Interfaith prayer service my understanding grew.

As a Peer Minister, with mostly Catholic/Christian students, this event helped me relate to

their traditional services and way of talking to G-d. I loved everything about this

opportunity, and would do it again in a heartbeat, meetings like this embody what

inclusion within religion truly is about, and as someone who lives out the interfaith mission

this is something I will take with me with high esteem.

Student Reflections

Madeline Haydon

I had a wonderful time taking part in the interfaith prayer service! It challenged me to be

more open to other faiths and I was able to see a spiritual side of my friends that I don't

see every day. I liked the intimacy it created and the environment of respect it fostered,

without taking away from the dignity of each individual tradition. I loved being able to

reflect on my faith tradition to find a prayer which I thought was most representative of

it's beauty.

Student Reflections

Evan Tillett

I really enjoyed this interfaith experience. During the planning process, I learned a lot

about different religions, how some of my classmates express their faith through prayer,

whether in their community, religious areas, or in their personal lives. The prayer service

itself was very enjoyable and I liked the variety of prayers that were shared. I enjoyed

experiencing different forms of prayer from various religions. Overall, it was a great

experience and interfaith dialogue is something that everyone should try and take

apart of more often. It opens up your eyes and tears down incorrect perceptions of

other faiths.

Student Reflections

Jessi Strassell

It was very eye opening to have open conversation about prayer with people

of the same and differing faiths. Prayer isn't something that is normally

discussed. Rather, it is something I do privately, so it was a great experience to

get to share my experience with others and find similarities with them. I enjoyed

the relaxed and welcoming environment that we formed and the level of

respect that was present, which allowed us to go deeper and explore what

prayer really means to each of us. It has made me more conscious of my

prayer and has broadened my concept of prayer.

My Reflections/Why It Matters

As a Christian, love of neighbor

Reduce prejudice and tear down stereotypes

Cultivate relationships

Rethink prayer

Form of prayer

Place of prayer

Meaning of prayer

Learn more about others faith traditions and become more deeply rooted in one’s

own faith tradition

I learned a great deal about being an interfaith leader and facilitating interfaith

dialogue and cooperation