Click here for a list of upcoming programs

The Angela Merici Center is an inter-faith center for spirituality and wholeness located on 52 acres in the heart of Louisville, Ky. The center offers individual and group space, rituals and programs that will enrich, nurture and help reclaim a sense of Spirit in today's hectic world. The Angela Merici Center provides opportunities for spiritual enrichment through: · Days of Prayer & Reflection · Centering Prayer · Spiritual Formation Programs · Personal Development Programs · Liturgy & Lunch · Reiki · Spiritual Direction · Group experiences · Rental of space to adult educational, inter-faith, religious groups and individuals. The Angela Merici Center has grown out of the charism of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, Ky. - "A contemplative love of God with a resulting openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others." Its mission is to help women and men discover God in every day life and in the world.

Prayers for Peace
by Jessica Reid

Louisville, Ky (March 18, 2008) - Despite a downpour that made it hard to see out the front windshield of a car, more than 50 people made their way through the rain to the Motherhouse Chapel on March 18 for a special gathering. Each brought their prayers and hopes for peace on the eve of the fifth anniversary of war in Iraq.

“Your hearts, like ours, desire peace,” said Ginny Schaffer, Director of the Angela Merici Center. She opened the “Prayers for Peace” event just a few minutes after 7 p.m., allowing everyone a few moments to dry off and find an open seat.

Coincidentally, the anniversary of the war fell during Holy Week, “It seems apropos that we gather on this night to pray for peace,” said Schaffer, who stressed it was not only about those surrounded by violence in Iraq, but in Afghanistan and other regions as well. “Our prayers for peace must include those around the world…held captive in many ways.”

The ceremony began with ten minutes of silence and reflection. Then, attendees were invited to speak out about other concerns at home and elsewhere. Among the issues mentioned: violence in Darfur, women held in slavery and by abuse, those oppressed for their religion, those suffering from disease, children living in poverty and violence here at home, on the streets of Louisville.

The event closed with a sign of peace. Each person was asked to reach out to those next to them and express love and hopes of a world without violence. A symbol of what Schaffer mentioned early in the ceremony when quoting Muhatma Ghandi, “We must become the change that we desire to see in the world.”

War in Iraq - By The Numbers:

Nearly 4,000 US dead...and more than 30,000 wounded.

Between 100,000 & 1,000,000 Iraqis dead ...and 4,000,000 displaced.

More than $1,000,000,000,000 spent.

*all numbers are at the writing of this story 3/18/08

Prayer for Peace with Iraq

God of hope and compassion,
Holy One of Abraham and Sarah,
who called our ancestors in faith to journey to a new future
Be with us as we pray.

We remember today the country of Iraq from which they were summoned,
ancient land of the Middle East, realm of two rivers
birthplace of great cities and civilization. May we who name ourselves children of Abraham and Sarah
call to mind our sisters and brothers in the East
and with them look to a new future.

God of reconciliation, God of painful sacrifice uniting humankind
we long for the day when you will provide for all nations on earth
your blessing of peace. But now with strife and war at hand
help us to see in each other a family likeness
a common inheritance as children of God. Keep hatred from the threshold of our hearts,
and preserve within us a generous spirit
which recognizes all peoples as children of God. This we ask in the name of the One who came to offer us
the costly gift of abundant life.   

AMEN. --Tecie Lardner, OP