WelCom May 2019:
Nicola Green
Sr Mary McCann and Nicola Green with Imam, Ahmed Syukri.
On Saturday 30 March, our Catholic Parish of Hastings celebrated an interfaith prayer service in remembrance of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Christchurch and in love and faith with our local Muslim community. There is a mosque just down the road from Sacred Heart Church in Heretaunga St, Hastings, so this was an opportunity to open a door with our close neighbours.
The attendance by our parishioners and our Muslim brothers and sisters, many of whom brought their children, was simply wonderful and we were overwhelmed by the support. The simple prayer service, led by our Parish Priest, Fr Vince Onessi, was beautiful. It included St Francis’ prayer which we sang.
Parish priest Fr Vince Onessi and Sayeed Ahmed. Photos: Supplied
The Muslim Imam, Ahmed Syukri, said a prayer and gave a short sermon and another member of the Muslim community recited prayers from the Koran. We felt blest to have such an interfaith sharing.
Everyone celebrated with refreshments in the church foyer after the service.
We feel a door between our communities has been opened that will never be closed again.