15 September 2010
Inaugural Multi-Faith Service at the Dem on the theme of Respect
celebrating the world’s religions in a culture of peace
North Sydney Demonstration School 15th September 2010
This is a good news story!
On Wednesday students and scripture teachers from Bahai, Jewish and Catholic scripture gathered in the hall of The Dem for the first ever Interfaith Service. We chose the theme of respect since it is common to all our traditions and a lived value at the Dem School where more than 50% of students have as their first language a language other than English.
Every student was involved in the assembly. We took turns to present a variety of items. Scripture stories were enacted, such as the Zacchaeus story and Moses receiving the Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. Catholic students also recited the prayer of St Francis, Make me a Channel of your Peace, and the prayer of St Teresa of Avila. We listened to beautiful prayers from the Bahai tradition and the morning prayer recited in English and Hebrew by the students from Jewish scripture. Our assembly concluded with everyone - students, teachers and parents singing together, I am Australian.
For the full text of prayers check the reviews section of the website; northsydneycatholics.com
The assembly was managed entirely by the students and was a wonderful experience of collaboration and respect in action. Thank you to our wonderful catechists at the Dem for their hard work to prepare the children.
Watch this space! The catechists at Cammeray Public and the Dem are now working to prepare and present an assembly on Mary Mackillop for their students the week before the canonisation, as part of our Parish celebrations.
Frances Tilly