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More than 600 people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist faith traditions annually pack the city’s Jesuit church, St. Ignatius, to offer prayers for the city and civic leaders. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

New year’s interfaith service at St. Ignatius marks 30th anniversary

December 20, 2022
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Christmas, Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, Local News, News

There’s no place Donna Price would rather be on New Year’s Eve than the interfaith prayer service at St. Ignatius in Mount Vernon.

More than 600 people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist faith traditions annually pack the city’s Jesuit church to offer prayers for the city and civic leaders. The gathering is also an opportunity to give thanks for the blessings of the previous year.

A painting that hangs in the narthex of St. Ignatius in Baltimore depicts the relationship between the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and life in Baltimore City. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“It’s really a very special event,” said Price, a longtime parishioner. “The congregation is truly diverse, and the music is just beautiful. Everyone sings at the top of their lungs.”

The interfaith prayer service was started by Jesuit Father William Watters in 1993 after the former St. Ignatius pastor read about a similar service the pope led for the Holy See’s diplomatic corps, Price said.

Father Watters asked Price to be one of the service’s organizers after she attended the inaugural event. She’s been involved on the service’s planning committee ever since.

Price noted that many civic leaders, including Baltimore mayors, have attended the celebration. She recalled that former Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, in his last year in office, told the congregation that participating in the prayer service was the most inspiring and important activity of his years in office.

Current Mayor Brandon Scott is expected to participate this year, Price said, along with Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison, Judge Lewyn Scott Garrett and other invited dignitaries.

Representatives of the faith community will include Archbishop William E. Lori, Daiko Matt Fetting, Rabbi Naomi Zaslow, the Rev. Christian Iosso, the Rev. Lauretta Halstead, Imam Ismet Akcin, Pastor Mark Parker, Dr. Alisha Tatem, Mercy Sister Helen Amos, Ukrainian Catholic Father Vasyl Sivinskyi and Jesuit Father Brian Frain.

The hourlong service begins Dec. 31 at 8:30 p.m. and is preceded by a musical prelude at 8 p.m. Prayers and readings will be offered during the service, along with a brief reflection. The service will end with the singing of “Nella Fantasia” and the blowing of the shofar, a ram’s horn used in Jewish ritual. A reception will follow in the hall.

Price noted that the event is free and open to all. Free parking is available on the street and behind the state building across the street from St. Ignatius.

The 30th interfaith prayer service will also be live­streamed on the parish’s webpage at st-ignatius.net.

“It’s really a lovely gathering – and it’s gotten more beautiful every year,” Price said.

Prayer Intentions

Pope Francis asks for prayers for the following in 2023

January: Educators

February: Parishes

March: Victims of abuse

April: Peace and nonviolence

May: Church groups/movements

June: Abolition of torture

July: Eucharistic life

August: World Youth Day

September: People on the margins

October: Synod on Synodality

November: For the Holy Father

December: Persons with disabilities

For written prayers on the above intentions, visit popesprayerusa.net

Email George P. Matysek Jr. at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org

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George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek, a member of the Catholic Review staff since 1997, has served as managing editor since September 2021. He previously served as a writer, senior correspondent, assistant managing editor and digital editor of the Catholic Review and the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

In his current role, he oversees news coverage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 100 national and regional journalism and broadcasting awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, the Catholic Press Association, the Associated Church Press and National Right to Life. He has reported from Guyana, Guatemala, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

A native Baltimorean, George is a proud graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. He holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a master's degree from UMBC.

George, his wife and five children live in Rodgers Forge. He is a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

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