PREECEVILLE — The Preeceville Ukrainian Catholic Church hosted the 2024 World Day of Prayer service with the theme “I Beg You... Bear With One Another in Love.”
Upon entrance at the March 1 event, each participant was given an “olive branch” (substituted with a spruce branch). Zita Serhan gave the welcome and greetings prior to the service, which was a previously recorded video. Father Ivan Semko gave a brief overview at the conclusion of the service.
The women of Palestine prepared the service this year. Individuals were encouraged to reflect on the changes and challenges faced by this country as the citizens evolve amidst struggles for independence internationally as well as the obstacles that women, in particular, face at home in the 45-minute video.
Regardless of changes, women in Palestine encounter many challenges in gender equality both politically and in the labour market.
In Palestine the roles of women are active and influential. Many Palestine women are steadfast, strong and courageous. When their husbands were imprisoned or killed they became the sole providers protecting their children and homes. Informed prayer resonates with Palestinian women who continue to serve as instruments for a better and deeper understanding among the peoples who share the land. The World Day of Prayer movement reached Palestine in 1950, brought by the wives of clergy of various denominations.
World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church event that began around 100 years ago bridging social, geographic, and political barriers in over 170 countries. Together we pursue justice, peace, and reconciliation by standing together in prayer and action.
In Canada, the World Day of Prayer (WDP) is coordinated by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC), one of the original founders of this prayer movement.
Offerings received through the World Day of Prayer transform our prayers into action in the form of project grants empowering women and children in our own country and throughout the world. All regions share in the grants, with consideration given to greatest need. Through WDP offerings, WICC has distributed around $3 million for small projects in the past 40 years. The vision is to restore hope to women and children touched by injustice.
