Faithful bless Peace Pole in Wheaton
Published Aug 11, 2006WHEATON—Surrounded by lush woodlands and blooming flowers, more than 50 people gathered in the heart of the tranquil 60-plus-acre Wheaton Franciscan Campus to participate in the blessing of the religious community’s recently carved cedar Peace Pole.
The 20 acres encircling the pole would serve as a peace sanctuary on the sprawling religious compound, said Franciscan Sister Lynn Schafer, the nun who carved the work.
The formal blessing took place during the sisters’ daylong Earth Interdependence Day Celebration Aug. 2—the feast of Our Lady of the Angels—at the Wheaton Franciscan headquarters.
Welcoming the people to the special ceremony, Franciscan Sister Pat Norton, administrator, explained that the newly crafted 6-foot tall wooden pole is one of thousands distributed across the continents. Each is intended to symbolize “the hopes and dreams of the entire human family. The Peace Pole acts as a silent prayer and message for peace on earth and (now) here on our land.”
The words, “May God Fill Our Hearts,” carved onto the sides of the pole in English, German, Spanish and Urdu acknowledge the people who work at the campus, said Sister Schafer as she addressed the people. The talented religious revealed that other poles would be placed on the campus in the future with inscriptions in Filipino, Ukrainian, Farsi, Polish, Gaelic, Lithuanian and several other languages. Meanwhile, one-by-one representatives uttered the words of the phrase in their native language.
“We hope that the prayer for peace worded on (this and future Peace Poles) will be spoken dozens of times a day in many languages,” said Ray Ward, ground supervisor at the compound, as he addressed the people at the event.
After the participants had raised their hands and blessed the pole, Franciscan Sister Marge Zulaski, provincial of the Wheaton Franciscans, invited them to shovel fresh dirt into the hole in which the pole was placed and to reverence the sacred object. “As people pass by, their hearts and minds will turn to prayer,” she concluded.
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Calendar of Events
Today is Jul 25, 2008St. Raphael Parish
St. Raphael Parish in Naperville plans to sponsor a Christian beginnings workshop from 9:15-11:15 a.m. May 19-30 (no class May 26). The cost is $150 per person, which includes materials. For more information 630-355-4545 ext. 112.St. Raphael Parish
St. Raphael Parish in Naperville plans to hold "Matthew: A Gospel for Times of Transition," a one-day retreat, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 31. The cost is $25 per person. For more information 630-355-4545 ext. 112.St. Jude Parish
St. Jude Parish in Joliet plans to hold vacation Bible school June 16-20. Registration is scheduled May 17-June 2. For more information 815-725-2209.The St. Ambrose Home School Association
The St. Ambrose Home School Association plans to co-sponsor a musical performance at 6:30 p.m. June 7 and at 3 p.m. June 8 in the Moser Performing Arts Center Auditorium at University of St. Francis in Joliet. For complete details 708-557-7070.St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Naperville plans to host "EcoMission: Growing Our Souls and Saving Our Planet" May 31-June 12. Complete details, including a schedule of topics, are available at www.stapostle.org.St. Jude Parish
St. Jude Parish in Joliet plans to hold vacation Bible school June 16-20. Registration is scheduled May 17-June 2. For more information 815-725-2209.SS. Peter and Paul Parish
SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Naperville is offering the Tridentine Mass. The Latin Mass is celebrated at 5:30 p.m. Sundays. For more information 630-718-2114.Immaculate Conception High School
The class of 1958 of Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst plans to hold its 50-year class reunion Oct. 3-4 at the Wyndham Drake Oakbrook Hotel. For details or to help locate alumni 630-833-2939.Mary Queen of Heaven Parish
Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Elmhurst plans to continue its Women in the Church/Women in the Bible speaker series.The schedule is as follows:
Franciscan Father Benet Fonck, a renowned presenter, is slated to speak at noon Aug. 10 about St. Clare.
Dominican Sister Barbara Reid, a prominent biblical scholar, is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 about women of the New Testament.
Mary Foley, pastoral life coordinator at the Elmhurst parish, is planned to speak at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 about "Women in Ecclesial Ministry Today."
For complete details 630-279-5700.