Interfaith Prayer Service opens Festival of Faiths

Tibetan Buddhist monks chant in prayer at the Interfaith Prayer Service held at the Cathedral of the Assumption May 14. (Record Photos by Jessica Able)

By Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer

Local faith leaders gathered at the Cathedral of the Assumption for the Interfaith Prayer Service to officially open the 2013 Festival of Faiths.

The prayer service “A Call to Compassion,” presented by the Center for Interfaith Relations and the Drepung Gomang Monastery, featured speakers from the Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Baha´i faith traditions.

The festival, usually held in the fall of each year, has been split into two events this year. The May events surround the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and will be held May 14 to May 19. In November an additional set of presentations will focus on the overall theme of “Sacred Silence.”

For details on festival events visit www.festivaloffaiths.org.

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Susan Gatz and Teresa Kotturan, both vice presidents of the order, Reverend Pedro Basden, pastor of Quinn Chapel, Rita Butler of Baha´i Center of Louisville and Father Jeffrey S. Nicolas, pastor of the Cathedral of the Assumption, listened to the opening remarks made by Owsley Brown III, the chair of the 2013 Festival of Faiths. — Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Susan Gatz and Teresa Kotturan, both vice presidents of the order, Reverend Pedro Basden, pastor of Quinn Chapel, Rita Butler of Baha´i of Louisville and Father Jeffrey S. Nicolas, pastor of the Cathedral of the Assumption, listened to the opening remarks made by Owsley Brown III, the chair of the 2013 Festival of Faiths, at the Intefaith Prayer Service.