Interfaith celebration delivers message of love and unity for all
Several religious communities from throughout Tucson’s northwest side recently congregated to spread and strengthen a message of love and unity during the Interfaith Celebration of Unity and Prayer. In its second year running, the event was hosted by Tucson North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Joining the LDS community during the Thursday, March 8 gathering were the St. Odilia Catholic Community; Third Church of Christ, Scientist; Casa Adobes Congregational United Church of Christ; The Muslim Community Center of Tucson and Congregation Or Chadash.This occasion was open to people of all faiths, and was a celebration at which leaders from each participating community delivered a speech that described the theme: “Together on the Journey in Mercy, Love and Peace.” The speeches and ending benediction focused on the power of coming together and loving fellow human beings. There were also videos presented, and songs that encapsulated the theme of love and unity among members of similar and different faiths. Father Miguel Mariano from the St. Odilia Catholic Community conceptualized the Interfaith Prayer and Unity Celebration last year because he felt there was a need for strengthening the spirit of peace in the community. He collaborated with the leaders of the other religious communities and this event was born. “People are hungry for peace, but we cannot speak about peace if we don’t have peace in our hearts,” Mariano said. “And so these kinds of events hopefully were able to advance the peace that we’re searching for in the community and mostly in our hearts.”
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