Chaplains’ Office to Host Fourth Annual Multifaith Community Prayer Service

The The College of the Holy Cross chaplains’ office will host its fourth annual Multifaith Community Prayer on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. in the Mary Chapel. The service, which is celebrated on the first day of classes in the spring semester, is a time to reflect on the rich faith traditions that are represented at Holy Cross. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to gather and participate as a community.

Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., president of the College, will preside at the prayer service. Fr. Boroughs will be joined by other faith leaders from Holy Cross and the Worcester community, including Rev. David Dae An Rynick from Boundless Way Zen Buddhist Center; Feryal Salem, assistant professor of Islamic scripture and law and co-director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program at Hartford Seminary; Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz from Congregation B’nai Shalom; Kolar Kodandapani from the Hindu Community of Greater Worcester; Rev. Sarah Stewart, minister from the First Unitarian Church of Worcester; and Virginia Coakley, assistant chaplain and director of Protestant and ALANA ministries at Holy Cross.

The program will include readings and prayer from various faith traditions as well as performances from various music groups including the Interdenominational Praise Team, Chapel Choir, College Chamber Singers, members of the Spanish Choir,  and a drumming performance by Robert Jones, associate director of multicultural education.

New to this year’s program will be a performance of Balinese dance and music by Suasthi Bandem, visiting fellow in the theater department.

Normand Gouin, assistant chaplain and director of liturgy and music at Holy Cross, says “ The College has established the tradition of beginning the second semester with a multifaith prayer as a way of affirming the contributions of people of all faith tradition and beliefs in our college community as we seek wisdom, truth and justice in living out our mission.” Gouin further explains, “ We also hope to call to mind that it is only in coming together across religious differences that we will be able to meet the challenges and opportunities of our increasingly globalized world.”