Anniversary of Iraq War
Springfield Dominicans to take part in an Interfaith Prayer Service

(SPRINGFIELD, IL)  March 17, 2008-- Dominican Sisters of Springfield along with people of all faiths will be joining the Peace Community of Springfield at a prayer service on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, marking the fifth anniversary of the US led invasion of Iraq.

“We’re hoping for a diverse coalition of people, and are diligently reaching out to individuals who aren’t involved in the peace movement,” Sister Marcelline Koch, OP said, Justice and Peace Promoter for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. 

Members of all faith traditions including: Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’i and others are expected to attend the special prayer service, 7pm at Laurel United Methodist Church in Springfield, IL on March 19th.

“Five years since the beginning of the Iraq war, many of us still feel powerless to bring about peace,” Interfaith Prayer Service Co-Organizer Sister Maureen Irvin, OSF, said.  “We encourage every one of all races, cultural backgrounds and faith traditions to gather as a community to pray for peace.  This event is not a political statement, regardless of any person’s personal position on the war in Iraq, we all seek the ultimate goal of peace.”

Organizers are hard at work in their churches and organizations calling on their members to participate in the event.   The prayer service will include culturally rich prayers, music and a candlelight ritual for peace.  Participants will gather together as communities of diverse faiths to:

• pray for peace in the world and in our country
• value all life as being precious in the eyes of a loving God
• raise concern for U.S. and Iraqi soldiers, as well as armed forces of other nations and civilians who have been killed or injured in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other areas of military conflict in the world

“We seek individuals from many faiths because we all share the common bond of praying-for-peace,” Co-Coordinator Virgina Bayless said.  “We recognize the suffering that war brings to families here and abroad.  Prayer takes us all one step closer to peace.”

By Nathan Mihelich
www.springfieldop.org