WelCom April 2022
After feeling powerless and horrified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, young people from St Francis of Assisi Ohariu parish and Challenge 2000 in Wellington organised two ‘Prayer for Peace in Ukraine’ Liturgies last month, for parishioners of all ages.
The Liturgy preparations included readings, power points, painting candles and peace signs, peace-focussed music, and learning about the war and its effects on Ukraine people. The Liturgies also included peace sheets and yellow and blue pens for children present to colour in with.
Excerpts from the poem Another Time, by UK poet WH Auden, written September 1, 1939 at the outbreak of World War II, were read, and everyone was challenged to be the point of light and a flame of peace in the dark times. People were invited to take home a candle to light and pray with every night until the war ends.
A donate-to-Caritas for Ukraine raised $248.