This year’s World Day of Prayer had more meaning for those participants who attended, considering it had been almost two years since everyone could gather as a community to celebrate.
Church of Our Lady Roman Catholic Church hosted the annual event on March 4, which this year had the theme “I know the plans I have for you” (Jeremiah 29:11). Women from England, Wales and Northern Ireland prepared the service for 2022. They focused on encouraging people to reflect on the changes and challenges those countries have faced over the centuries as they’ve evolved independently and collectively.
The Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC) co-ordinates the World Day of Prayer event in Canada. It is also one of the founders of this worldwide prayer movement.
“It’s a celebration of faith, but it’s also a celebration of community, especially bringing the various denominations together in Moose Jaw,” said organizer RoseMary Hartney.
Normally a group of Moose Jaw women would gather to create the service, but preparations this year were scaled back due to the ongoing pandemic, she continued. Instead, participants will follow the service by watching a pre-recorded video.
“It’s an opportunity for people to come together. As you can see, when they gather in the door, some of them they haven’t seen one another (in a while). So, it’s a big event for them to come, and especially today and on a bad day like this,” Hartney said. “… It’s a good feeling when people come together.”
This year’s World Day of Prayer is the first one held in-person since 2020. That event was one of the last gatherings held before governments forced residents into lockdowns because of COVID-19. Meanwhile, a virtual service was created last year that people could watch online.
“This year, we weren’t sure. This year we were hesitant about whether it would be in-person or not, but we said we have a big facility here and people could come,” said Hartney. “And by the looks of it — a half-hour ago, I wondered if anyone was coming, but now they’re here.”
Meeting in person again is wonderful because community is important, she continued. It has been apparent for the past two years that community has been missing, along with fellowship.
“Church is the people, not the building,” she added, “and that’s important.”
