Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace Offered Oct. 17

The University of Scranton offered an interfaith Prayer Service for Peace in the Holy Land in the G. Donald Pantle, S.J., Rose Garden on campus Oct. 17.

The University joined with others across the world who answered the call to pray for peace issued by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, a call endorsed by The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Offering prayers and Scripture readings from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions at the University’s service were Rabbi Daniel Swartz of Temple Hesed; and from The University of Scranton, Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for mission and ministry; Michael G. Azar, Ph.D., associate professor of theology/religious studies; Ahmed Gomaa, Ph.D., associate professor of operations and analytics; and Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president of community engagement and government affairs. Michael O’Malley, director of liturgy and music, provided a closing hymn.

Last week, University of Scranton President Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., sent “A Statement on the Violence in Israel and Gaza” to the University community in which he quoted this Prayer for Peace from Pope Francis:

“Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be ‘brother’ [and ‘sister’], and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen.”