CINCINNATI — West meets East on July 1 at “One Church of Mercy,” a half-day program to learn about the history and traditions of Eastern Rite Catholic brothers and sisters, and also about the religious persecution they and other faith communities face in the Middle East and elsewhere.
The program will feature presentations from the Patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, His Beatitude Mar Béechara Peter Cardinal Rai, and the Maronite Catholic Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, His Excellency A. Elias Zaidan. This prayer and educational event is open to the public. Educators are especially encouraged to attend.
The morning program is as follows:
• 9-9:30 a.m., morning prayer in Annunciation Church
• 9:30-10 a.m., gathering (includes light refreshments and table discussions)
• 10-11:15 a.m., introductions to the Eastern rite Catholic communities and issues of religious freedom (the Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati; the Rev. Todd Grogan, pastor of Annunciation Church; Tony Stieritz, Archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Director; the Rev. George Hajj, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church; the Rev. Siju Azhakath, mission director of St. Chavara Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission; One Church of Mercy Committee members; Bishop A. Elias Zaidan)
• 11:15 a.m. to noon, presentation by His Beatitude Mar Béechara Peter Cardinal Raï
• Noon to 12:30 p.m., questions and answers
The cost of the event is $10, payable by cash, check, or credit card. Learn more at: http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/event/one-church-of-mercy-2/
Zaidan and Schnurr also will take part in a Divine Liturgy at 6 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church in Cincinnati. Anyone wishing to attend should RSVP at www.staparish.org
To learn more about international Christian persecution and the Church’s response, visit Annunciation Parish’s compilation of information and resources.
“One Church of Mercy” is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Annunciation Catholic Church and St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 38th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with almost 500,000 Catholics, and has the sixth largest network of Catholic schools in terms of enrollment. The 19-county territory includes 211 parishes and 111 Catholic primary and secondary schools.
