Tsunami Warning and Interfaith Dialogue

I was going to go to the beach to do some more reading today, but there was an earthquake in the Solomon Islands and all the beaches were closed due to a Tsunami alert. The Tsunami never materialized but “NSW-ers” are congratulating themselves as their recently developed early alert system seems to have worked well today.

Tonight I had the opportunity to join Dan, one of my fellow “sabbaticalers” at an interfaith gathering in Parramatta, one of the western suburbs of Sydney. This gathering was sponsored by the Diocese of Parramatta and the Affinity Intercultural Foundation. It was a fine step in bringing Muslims and Catholics together for dialogue and mutual understanding. Dan and I took a harbour ferry out in the afternoon because we wanted to see the new Cathedral of St. Patrick. It replaced the original structure which had been destroyed by a fire in 1996 and is a magnificent modern structure and like ono other that I have seen thusfar in Australia. The pictures here show the view from the main aisle and from the rear near the massive stand of organ pipes.

Before the meeting started went across the street to the ever present McDonalds, known here commonly as "Macca's". On the way back to the meeting hall we stopped back in to see the Cathedral, now illuminated after sunset. The building was even more beautiful at night with its interior illumination of the black marble Altar and Tasmanian Oak woodwork. But as powerful as it was, my heart was touched by what I saw as we walked into the sacred space. There in the middle of the assembly, on the open floor near the Altar Table, a young Muslim man had spread out his prayer rug and was absorbed in deep praise of the One God whom we all worship. I was moved that Bishop Kevin Manning, who was greeting people as they came for the Interfaith gathering, had welcomed this man of faith to pray in the quiet of the Cathedral before the meeting began. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to catch this special moment with my camera in the dim lights.

The Interfaith meeting brought over 200 Muslims and Christians together to learn more about each other in an environment of respect and trust. I was proud to be a part of it and thought how blest we are in Rochester to have the same type of interfaith alliance with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We have so much to learn from each other and the ture peace of the world depends on this kind of friendship.



We took the train back to Central Station as the ferries do not run at night. It was a most fulfilling day!