Prayers of gratitude are offered at annual interfaith service

By Richard Kaler (Special to The Criterion)

SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis was a cultural haven on Nov. 20 as spiritual leaders from varying paths united in gratitude.

The eighth annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service that took place that evening was an opportunity for each spiritual leader to offer homage in their own language and tradition.

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein hosted the service. Leaders from the Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian and Sikh communities met to share their faith.

K.P. Singh, representing the Sikh community of Indianapolis, took time before the service to discuss his spiritual reflection for the evening.

“What I’m going to say is going to be all-embracing,” Singh said. “They’re going to see themselves in what I’m going to say. They’re going to say, ‘Oh, I remember that quote from the Koran. I remember that quote from the Bible. I remember that quote from the Torah.’ ”

After a 30-minute performance by the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and the cathedral’s Laudis Cantores choir, the service began.

Midway through the interfaith gathering, Geshe Jimpa Sonam of the Indiana Buddhist Center approached the altar to perform his piece.

Like those before him, Sonam performed a composition in his native tongue—in this case, Tibetan. As Sonam belted out an “Ohm” in one of his final verses, the bass of his vocal reverberated throughout the cathedral with an echoing delay. Several members of the audience gasped in wonderment.

Following Sonam’s piece, the Rev. Dr. Richard E. Hamilton of the United Church of Christ offered a more traditional Thanksgiving prayer.

The petition’s focus was a realization that our nation’s people embraced one another after years of injustice.

“Across the years, many others were brought to this good land against their wills and treated much less than brothers and

sisters,” Hamilton reminded the audience. “ … How your heart must have broken at our blindness and the pain we inflicted.”

Then it was the Sikhs’ turn.

Representatives of the Sikh Satsang sat on the altar side by side holding instruments that were unfamiliar to many in attendance.

One man played the waaja, an accordion-like instrument popular in the Sikhs’ native homeland, India. Another man played the tabla, a pair of Indian drums.

Finally, after approaching the altar, Singh presented his spiritual reflection that he hoped would capture the vibe of the service.

“ … May we be people of faith with a humble, an all-embracing spirit—not even inadvertently ignore, trespass against

someone else’s dignity,” he said. “Instead, discover in them wisdom, universal common threads, strengths and reflections of our own spirituality and humanity. …”

Quoting Franklin D. Roosevelt, Singh said our basic freedoms are vital in celebration of the holiday. “Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, freedom from fear.”

Dan Pugh, 62, experienced the interfaith prayer service for the first time.

As a professional costumer for 50 years, Pugh said he was intrigued by the festive attire that various faith groups wore for the service.

Frank Haynes, 57, attended the service because, he said, “It’s important to see how other people worship and pray.”

The first guest who performed during the service was Cantor Giora Sharon, a Jewish representative of the Congregation Beth-El Zedeck.

Dr. Girdhard L. Ahuja from the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana

followed. Sister Carol Allender of the Nur-Allah Islamic Center was next. Geshe Jimpa Sonam of the Indiana Buddhist Center came afterward. A small ensemble representing the Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis performed last. †