Mary, Queen of Peace hosting Ecumenical Prayer Service Jan. 23: Musings by Marilou
on January 13, 2014
On Jan. 23, Christians from throughout St. Tammany Parish are invited to worship together during an Ecumenical Prayer Service at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mandeville. Everyone is welcome.
After spending a relaxing and casual conversation with the Rev. Ronald Calkins. pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace in St. Tammany Parish who commonly goes by the name Father Ronnie, I sat down at my computer and tried to wrap my brain around the concept of parishes, an archdiocese, and everything else that seemed so boggling and unfamiliar to a gal raised in a Southern Baptist environment.
I “googled” various terms (one was ecumenical which means universal), fretted for a while, and then it occurred to me that I did not have to understand everything. I could simply sum it up with, “Hey, y’all, we’re all getting together to praise God and pray for peace”...period.
According to Father Calkins, when the Parish Commissioners met together in 2012 to brainstorm ways of celebrating the parish’s 25th anniversary, a service involving various churches and religions was suggested. Not only would it include other denominations, but those pastors and members would have an active part in the worship event.
He noted that churches around St. Tammany Parish already have worked together through various outreach and service projects. “We partner with many of these congregations through the work of the Samaritan Center, the Covington Food Bank, the St. Tammany Parish Jail ministry, and Habitat for Humanity,” Rev. Calkins said. “This will be a time to come together to pray, sing, and celebrate our unity together as Christians.”
The theme of the prayer service is based on Micah 6:8: "To act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God."
While obtaining information for a story on the upcoming event, I ran across a quote by Henry Ford that appears to echo "Father Ronnie's" sentiments: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
The service at Mary, Queen of Peace sounds like a wonderful way to begin a new year.
A reception will be held after the Jan. 23 service. For additional information, visit the Parish website at http://www.maryqueenofpeace.org/
>>>>Many Christians of different faiths that will gather this evening are among those who minister with me inside Rayburn Prison. The parish mentioned in the article supplies many lay ministers to both Rayburn and St. Tammany Parish jail.
After spending a relaxing and casual conversation with the Rev. Ronald Calkins. pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace in St. Tammany Parish who commonly goes by the name Father Ronnie, I sat down at my computer and tried to wrap my brain around the concept of parishes, an archdiocese, and everything else that seemed so boggling and unfamiliar to a gal raised in a Southern Baptist environment.
I “googled” various terms (one was ecumenical which means universal), fretted for a while, and then it occurred to me that I did not have to understand everything. I could simply sum it up with, “Hey, y’all, we’re all getting together to praise God and pray for peace”...period.
According to Father Calkins, when the Parish Commissioners met together in 2012 to brainstorm ways of celebrating the parish’s 25th anniversary, a service involving various churches and religions was suggested. Not only would it include other denominations, but those pastors and members would have an active part in the worship event.
He noted that churches around St. Tammany Parish already have worked together through various outreach and service projects. “We partner with many of these congregations through the work of the Samaritan Center, the Covington Food Bank, the St. Tammany Parish Jail ministry, and Habitat for Humanity,” Rev. Calkins said. “This will be a time to come together to pray, sing, and celebrate our unity together as Christians.”
The event will include two speakers. One service will be conducted by Dr. Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Covington, and another will feature the Father Buddy Noel, ecumenical officer of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and associate pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Mandeville. Rev. Calkins noted that his congregation will oversee Thursday evening’s choir which will include members of various churches throughout the area.
"To act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God."
Pastor for 18 years in Mandeville, Father Calkins noted that the Ecumenical Prayer Service will feature scripture readings common to many. and will include “simple, basic things that people will probably know.” He also added that he is “hoping that this service could be a catalyst for more cooperation" (between the clergy of all denominations) and the reviving of some type of ministerial alliance.The theme of the prayer service is based on Micah 6:8: "To act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God."
While obtaining information for a story on the upcoming event, I ran across a quote by Henry Ford that appears to echo "Father Ronnie's" sentiments: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
The service at Mary, Queen of Peace sounds like a wonderful way to begin a new year.
A reception will be held after the Jan. 23 service. For additional information, visit the Parish website at http://www.maryqueenofpeace.org/
>>>>Many Christians of different faiths that will gather this evening are among those who minister with me inside Rayburn Prison. The parish mentioned in the article supplies many lay ministers to both Rayburn and St. Tammany Parish jail.
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