Woodlands Academy hosts interfaith prayer service

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

Prayers, readings from the Bible and the Quran, and reflections were offered by Rabbi Samuel Gordon from Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Wilmette; Helena Abushamaa from the Islamic Foundation North in Libertyville; the Rev. Bill Roberts from St. Gregory's Episcopal Church in Deerfield; the Rev. Mark Hindman and the Rev. Tracy Hindman of Union Church in Lake Bluff; and Sister Patricia Reiss, RSCJ, from Woodlands Academy.

In addition, prayers were offered by three students in the Sikh, Buddhist and Quaker traditions.

The service, held every other year at Woodlands, honors several of the faith traditions represented there. Sophomore Elizabeth Bartusiak of Lake Forest set the tone at the beginning, saying, "Our cultures and languages are many and our races, religions and economic situations are diverse, but today we pray with one voice."

"In the midst of all the chaos that fills the world, we turn in prayer and ask God to help us see what joins us rather than what divides. We celebrate our commonalities and, guided by our diverse religious traditions, will strive to become people who are faith-filled and understanding - people who are known for our desire to understand and to love to our global neighbors," Bartusiak said.

After the service, many students participated in a Brown Bag Lunch program when they asked the visiting religious representatives meaningful questions about their particular faith, as well as its traditions and practices.