Arlington Hts. priest works for interfaith work

The Rev. Corey Brost, a priest with the Clerics of St. Viator and chairman of the religion department at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, has been honored by the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign during a Sept. 11 commemorative event in Washington, D.C.

Shoulder to Shoulder, a national interfaith campaign, formed one year ago with 26 diverse faith groups dedicated to ending anti-Muslim sentiment across the country.

The commemorative event was held Sept. 8 at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington.

Brost is one of four religious leaders in the U.S. to be honored. He was recognized for starting the Children of Abraham project last year.

The coalition of teenagers and adults from local Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities meets regularly to discuss their faith traditions and identify ways to promote religious understanding and tolerance.

“I’m the one going, but I’m really representing the group,” said Brost. “The honor really goes to all the young people and adults who have made a commitment to work for interfaith peace in the suburbs.”

The Children of Abraham are holding an interfaith prayer service for Arlington Heights residents to recognize the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, at 4 p.m. Sunday at North School Park.

Shoulder to Shoulder officials credited Brost’s study of Islam while earning his divinity degree at Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union with heightening his understanding of the worldwide faith.

“Realizing that Islam is a religion of peace, and eager to end the lack of understanding that keeps communities apart, he founded the Children of Abraham,” Shoulder to Shoulder officials said in their profile of Brost.

“He uses dialogue, service and education to strengthen a community and end bigotry.”