Woodlands Academy Interfaith Prayer Service Stresses Shared Values

Students, faculty and staff at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart joined area representatives of the Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Islamic and Hindu faiths in a celebration of values they share during an interfaith prayer service Thursday, Feb. 16, at the all-girls college prep high school in Lake Forest.

Featured were prayers; readings from Bible Scriptures, the Hindu Vedas and the Quran; and reflections offered by: Helena Abushamaa, religious activity coordinator, Islamic Foundation North in Libertyville; Deacon Kevin Garvey of Holy Cross Catholic Parish in Deerfield; the Rev. Suzan Hawkinson, pastor, First Presbyterian Church in Deerfield; Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld, Beth Chaverim Humanistic Jewish Community in Deerfield; and the Rev. David Kyllo, pastor, Zion Lutheran Church in Deerfield; and Acharyas (teachers) Jetindraji and Swapnaji Nayar, Chinmaya Mission Chicago in Grayslake, representing the Hindu tradition.

In addition, prayers were offered by two students in the Buddhist and Quaker traditions (seniors Zhaojin Jiang of China and Arabella McMenamin-Walshe of Highland Park, respectively).

The service, held every other year at Woodlands, honors several of the faith traditions represented at the school. Sophomore Jamise Cooper of Chicago set the tone at the very beginning, "Today, in the midst of the chaos that fills the world, we join to celebrate our common bonds. [While] our cultures and languages are many and our races, religions and economic situations are diverse, today we pray with one voice to a God who loves and unites us all."

Immediately following the service in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, students gathered for an informal question-and-answer session during which they asked the visiting religious representatives meaningful questions about their particular faith as well as its traditions and practices. The seven prayer service participants were joined by Premal Joshipura from Chinmaya Mission Chicago in responding to the students' questions.

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Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It's part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy's identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat's desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org