Published on December 3, 2014
Interfaith prayer service will remember homeless who have died on the streets of New Orleans in 2014
Archbishop Gregory Aymond and leaders of many different faith communities of the Greater New Orleans area will join together in prayer to remember the homeless who have died on the streets of New Orleans in 2014. This service will also honor the ongoing collaborative efforts of the many community organizations serving the homeless including UNITY of Greater New Orleans and Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, and the commitment of our spiritual leaders to the continued work that must be done to ensure that no one is without shelter in our city. All are welcome to join in prayer and solidarity at this interfaith prayer service on Sunday, December 14, 4pm – 5pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1802 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112.
Faith leaders include:
- Most Reverend Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans
- Fr. Buddy Noel, Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
- Deacon Ronald Guidry, St. Louis Cathedral
- Rabbi Robert Loewy, Congregation Gates of Prayer, Metairie
- Imam Refeeq Nu’man, Masjidur Rahim, New Orleans
- Rev. Dr. Walter Baer, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, New Orleans
- Deacon Maggie Dawson, St. Martin Episcopal Church, Metairie
- Rev. Jerry Bass, Parkview Baptist Church, Metairie
- Rev. Ronald Unger, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Kenner
- Mr. Parviz Mojgani, Baha’i Community of New Orleans
- Rev. Jim VanderWeele, Community Unitarian Universalist Church
UNITY of Greater New Orleans reports that roughly, 1,981 individuals live on the streets of New Orleans on any given night. In 2014, an estimated 12 individuals died on the streets of New Orleans due to lack of shelter in 2014. In memorial for these homeless men and women who have died and for the many that still find themselves without shelter, the faith community is joining together in solidarity to pray for an end to homelessness in New Orleans.
Began as an initiative of the Ignatian Spirituality Project in New Orleans, a ministry offering retreats and support for those who have experienced homelessness and who are recovering from substance abuse issues, this event brings together leaders of many faiths as one voice for the homeless of our city.