World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 Report

This year, the Berrie Alumni and Fellows of the John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue joined the worldwide initiative in celebrating the World Interfaith Harmony Week. 8 alumni from 5 countries -- Bangladesh, Italy, Ukraine, the Philippines, and US -- and 9 current Fellows in Israel organized an interfaith peace poetry festival in their communities, parishes, schools, and institutions. During the event, representatives of various religions read out poems either from their Sacred Texts or literature about peace and harmony. Our current Fellow, Sr.Vimal Jyothy, composed her own poem dedicated to peace (please see below).
 
Pictured above is our Cohort X in Israel.

Ukraine: Lidiia Batig (Cohort VIII) with participants-representatives of the three Abrahamic Faiths at the Honorary Consulate of Israel in Lviv. Lidiia is one of the organizers of "Tolerance Talks" which take place on the grounds of the Consulate every second week

 
 
 
 
Bangladesh: Sr. Paschalina Purobi (Cohort VIII) organized the program at her
RNDM Sisters house with the help of her community of Sisters. Five graduate students and other Hindus, Muslims, and Christians participated in this event of peace poetry recitation. The event attracted many female students who also took part in Sr. Paschalina's recent training

 
 
 
Italy: Elena Dini (Cohort VII) hosted an Interfaith Poetry Festival with the interreligious group of young Italians and refugees of the Sacred Heart Basilica in Rome and the members of the Focolare Movement. Elena has been leading interreligious encounters with this group since 2015

 
 
 
The Philippines: Val Brillo (Cohort II) at the Interfaith Breakfast with the
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, Ambassadors and other religious leaders. Back in 2016, our alumni in the Philippines and their partners UniHarmony Manila were recognized for their initiatives on the occasion of the Interfaith Harmony Week

 
 
 
U.S.: Allyson Zacharoff hosted a poetry event at her seminary at Hartford for World Interfaith Harmony Week. The main goal was to offer an alternative way for members of different faiths to connect, beyond strict dialogue, by appreciating works of poetry together.


 
Peace
 
I saw Peace in the Eyes of God
He stooped down from heaven on earth
To find Peace in the World
Alas! Could He find Peace among humanity?
     Yes! He found the peace in the orderliness of the Universe
       In the twinkling of the little stars
       In the brightness of the rising sun
        In the calmness of the moonlight
God could see the peace in the silence of the blue sky
In the silver clouds and gentle breeze
In the coolness of rainfalls and snowdrops
In the flowing streams and the ocean vast
             Yes! God was happy to find peace in the Oasis of Desert
             In the high mountains and valley deep
             Peace in the fragrance of colorful flowers
             In the fruit trees and thick forests.
He found peace in the chirping birds and fishes of waters
In the eyes of lambs and grazing cattle
In the tiny creatures and busy bees
Nature so displayed its peace
         God earnestly longed for the peace among humanity
         They were His special creation in His Image
        Made them crown of glory and a little less than angels
          Alas! Could He find this peace among them?
Yes! He could see this peace in the face of Infants
In the laughter of the children
Peace in the pure, humble and holy Seekers of God
Peace in the Merciful and Peace makers.
     But God was so sad to see the innumerable misery in the World
       Craziness for power, pleasure and corruptions dehumanized the world
      Atrocities against children, women and vulnerable crushed the human dignity
       Killings for petty gods and gains resulted migration, refugees, and martyrdom
O! God! What is happening to this world of humanity?
We have gone astray from Your Presence and Peace
God Almighty! I pray grant Your Wisdom and Understanding to all humans
That enables to bring harmony and unity on this earth
                     That Thou be able to see Peace reign in this world of humans.
 
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                   Dr.Sr. Vimal Jyothy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

About us

What is the Russell Berrie Fellowship in Interreligious Studies of the John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue?

The Russell Berrie Fellowship targets priests, women religious, and members of the laity for the purpose of studying at the Angelicum to obtain a Licence Degree or a Diploma in Interreligious Studies. This program is a timely initiative at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). The goal of the Fellowship Program is to build bridges between Christian, Jewish, and other religious traditions by providing the next generation of religious leaders with a comprehensive understanding of and dedication to interfaith issues.

 
The Fellowship Award will provide one year of financial support for Russell Berrie Fellows to pursue a Licence Degree or a Diploma in Interreligious Studies at the Angelicum. It is intended to cover tuition, a modest living stipend, examination fees, a modest book allowance, and travel to and from the recipient's home country once a year.