Interfaith Procession and Candlelight Prayer for UN Climate Meeting Scheduled for Monday November 30 in Albuquerque

The Interfaith community in Albuquerque is coming together on Monday, Nov. 30, for a procession and candlelight vigil ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Talks in Paris. The vigil begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Federal Building, Gold and 6th SW, and ends at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 619 Copper Ave. NW  Here is a map (Note: The exact route will be announced later. The map just shows the starting and ending locations)

Even as the world is reeling from the violence in Paris, World Leaders from more than 150 nations prepare for the UN Climate Change meeting in Paris, November 30-December 11. An unprecedented number of leaders of religious traditions, including Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama and Muslim and Jewish world leaders are calling all people to act for climate justice. They will offer a moral voice to public officials as they meet to agree to an international agreement.
 

You are invited to participate in a special prayer for the meeting and to bless those from Albuquerque who will be traveling to Paris for this important gathering.

Order of evening:
*Procession calling to mind the many climate refugees
*Candle light prayer in Immaculate Conception with music, sacred dance, prayers by major religious tradition representatives, blessing of those going to Paris and blessing of those representing organizations that will be in Paris, call to action.

Co-sponsors: New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, New Mexico Conference of Churches, New Mexico Oxfam Action Corps, Bread for the World-New Mexico, Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico, Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe, and others.

For more information contact Sister Joan Brown (joan@nm-ipl.org).

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A Candlelight Vigil in Old Town on Eve of Popes Visit

Here are a few images and quotes from the program at the Interfaith Vigil in Old Town in Albuquerque on the eve of Pope Francis Address to Congress on Sept. 24.

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness that all exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

-from Pope Francis, Laudato Si

 If I had a light Id shine it in the morning,
Id shine it in the evening all over this land
Id shine it our of warning, Id shine out of danger,
Id shine out love between my brothers and my sisters all over this land

 -adapted from the song If I had a Hammer by Pete Seeger

This is my song, O God of all the nations, 
A song for peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is,
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams as true as mine.

-from This is my Song of Peace, Jan Sibelius

Teach us to discover the worth of every thing, 
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are united 
with every creature as we journey toward your inner light

-from Pope Francis, Laudato Si

We thank you for being with us each day.  Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.

-from Pope Francis, Laudato Si

The vigil was co-sponsored by New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, the New Mexico Conference of Churches, Catholic Charities, Interfaith Worker Justice of New Mexico, Interfaith Dialogue of New Mexico and the Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Vigils were also held in five other New Mexico Cities: Taos, Gallup, Silver City, Carlsbad and Santa Fe

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Interfaith Candlelight Prayer Vigils This Week Around Pope Francis Visit to the U S

"Let us pray together for wisdom and conversion of hearts and actions to justice and hope on the eve of the first ever Papal Address to the U.S. Congress. 

People will be praying all over the United States.:

We are so pleased to be praying together throughout New Mexico in these communities. Please download the flyer for your area for details:

Wed., Sept. 23, 6:30-7:30 pm, Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque--Flyer

Sept. 23, 8-9 pm,Taos Plaza--Flyer

Sept. 23, 6:30-7:30 pm, McKinley Courthouse Plaza, Gallup--Flyer

Sept. 23, 7:30 pm, Gough Park Picnic Shelter, Silver City--Flyer

Sept. 23, 7-8 pm, Eddy County Court House, Carlsbad--

Thursday, Sept. 24, noon, Steps of St. Francis Cathedral, Santa Fe, info. mleagle@sjc.edu

A time to pray together for wisdom for ourselves and all leaders as we commit to action in light of the critical challenge of climate justice. September 23 is Yom Kippur for our Jewish brothers and sisters and Eid al-Adha (end of Hajj) with the Islamic community. We respect that they will be praying within their own traditions. As we pray for conversion and hope, we will be mindful of all of our interfaith brothers and sisters around the world affected by climate change, economic injustice and environmental degradation.   Each site will have a call for actions as well. 

Co-sponsored by New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, New Mexico Conference of Churches, Catholic Charities, New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, Interfaith Worker Justice of New Mexico, New Mexico Interfaith Dialogue and the Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

National coordination by Interfaith Power and Light, Franciscan Action Network and Global Catholic Climate Movement.

If you have not organized a vigil with accompanying call to action around the Popes visit and would like information, contact joan@nm-ipl.org.  It is not too late to have a small gathering in your  home or faith community.

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