Innisfail joined almost 2,000 communities across Canada to recognize this year's World Day of Prayer, an international ecumenical Christian laywomen's initiative observed annually on the first Friday in March.
Run under the motto Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action, the origins of the worldwide event, now recognized by 170 countries, go back to 1887, when women were encouraged to become aware of other countries and cultures – their problems and challenges -- and to pray with and for them.
Each year the focus is on a different country and a specific theme. This year, Cuba was the chosen country, and a committee of women from the Caribbean nation prepared this year's service and prayer, Receive Children, Receive Me, that was based on the biblical passage of Mark 10:13-16.
“There can be no better emblem for the 2016 World Day of Prayer service written by the World Day of Prayer committee of Cuba,” noted the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada in a media release. “With the triumph of the revolution, a trade embargo by the United States brought Cuba economic isolation and material scarcity. Now the embargo is lifting, but uncertainty remains for the Cuban people. What can these women tell the rest of the world about how faith endures in a secular world, of material and social challenges, and of hope?”
World Day of Prayer recognition in Innisfail has historically been sponsored ecumenically, with local churches taking turns to host and organize services. The Peace Lutheran Church hosted this year's March 4 local services. There was an afternoon service for senior citizens at Autumn Glen Lodge. The church later hosted its own service in the evening.
“We are so pleased to work together cooperatively with all the churches in Innisfail and to come together with churches worldwide to pray for women, children, and all those who yet suffer violence and daily threat to abundant living in our world,” said Pastor Kathy Calkins. “Our local service is planned by regular women in our community with a passion for the power of prayer and coming together. We are aware of the large number of children in our own country who yet live in poverty and are often the forgotten and invisible of our world.”
At St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, students – many dressed in the Cuban flag colours of red, white and blue – participated in the global reflection with their own 45-minute afternoon service. A skit was prepared by students to mark the event, as well as a short liturgy, which included readings, prayers and intentions.
“It is an important event for us to recognize as a school, because it gives our students a global perspective of how privileged we are here in Canada,” said Eric Tetreau, a grades 6 and 7 teacher who helped organize the school's recognition of World Day of Prayer. “It shows the differences of lifestyles with other people around the world.”
Pastor Kathy Calkins
"Our local service is planned by regular women in our community with a passion for the power of prayer and coming together."
