Day Of Prayer
Spring breezes blew across the Ohio River last Thursday afternoon, curling around the Four Freedoms monument and causing people standing nearby to shiver and warm their hands.
About 150 brave souls ignored the wind and dark clouds to attend the 2014 National Day of Prayer ceremony, held May 1 on the Evansville riverfront. This year’s theme was “One Voice, United in Prayer.”
Lester Mason says he tries to get to the prayer service every year. He’s a member of St. Matthew United Church of Christ in Evansville, and he sees the May 1 service as the “one day in the year when we lay down our differences. It’s the one day we come together to pray.”
Sharon Vogler is the pastoral associate and DRE at St. Anthony Parish in downtown Evansville. This was her first year to attend the Day of Prayer.
“We work for justice, and I decided it was important to be a part of the prayer service. I love the fact that it’s ecumenical.”
The ceremony opened with the singing of the national anthem by Alexandria Turpin, a senior at Mater Dei High School in Evansville and the winner of the 2014 MEO Tri-State Idol competition.
Tim Lilley, diocesan director of communications and editor of The Message, then read a letter from Bishop Charles C. Thompson who greeted everyone “with great joy and affection,” noting with regret that he was unable to attend.
The letter explained that Bishop Thompson was in Wurzburg, Germany, celebrating the silver anniversary of the priestly ordination of a dear friend. “Please know that I am with you in spirit. This special gathering at the Four Freedoms Monument is a great witness of our unity in faith, hope and charity. Be it ever so brief, this moment gives evidence to our belief in the power of prayer as well as our respect for the dignity of persons of all faith traditions.
“May God bless our country and all the nations of the world. By the grace of God, may we strive to lift up the downtrodden and reach out to those on the margins of society. May we seek to grow in mutual respect and community as members of the one family of God.”
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke then proclaimed May 1, 2014, as the National Day of Prayer in the City of Evansville, and Sgt. Darren Sroufe with the Evansville Police Department offered a prayer for all first responders.
He was followed by a variety of faith leaders who offered prayers from their own faith traditions.
The group included
• Rabbi Gary Mazo, Temple Adath B’Nai Israel, Evansville;
• Rev. F.P. Miller, First Ebenezer Baptist Church, Evansville;
• Iman Abdul Wajid, Evansville Area Islamic Society;
• Mary Lee McManus from the Buddist tradition;
• Abraham Brown from Holy Name Church in Henderson who read a prayer in English and Spanish.
Father Bernie Etienne, diocesan vicar general and pastor at Holy Rosary Parish in Evansville, read a closing prayer which ended with these words,
“Renew and strengthen the faith of the people of our country,
“May our words and actions give glory to you,
“May we become a people dear and pleasing to you,
“These prayers we ask of you,
“O Lord, Mighty God, Amen.”
The ceremony concluded with Ubi Caritas, sung by Mater Dei students.
The crowd included 41 sixth graders from Holy Rosary School. As the students waited to sign the official proclamation, Cody Diefenbaugh was asked what he like best about the program. He answered immediately. “The Latin song. That was amazing!”
