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Archdiocese of Chicago Celebrates the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity during the Week of January 18-25

Parishes will host ecumenical prayer services and events throughout the week

Chicago, IL (January 18, 2018) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will join other Christians in ecumenical celebrations during the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, beginning on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Started in 1908, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated around the world each year between the Feast of St. Peter’s Chair (January 18) and the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25).

“During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, I strongly encourage Catholics to pray in solidarity and in abundance with our Christian brothers and sisters,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago. “It is in shared faith and joint prayer that our communities are made places of peace and hope for all.”

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches annually select ecumenical leaders from various geographical regions to prepare the theme and text for the Week of Prayer. This year’s theme, “Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power,” from the Book of Exodus (15:6), signifies that God draws people together in the desire for Christian unity.

“Each year, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity stands as an important reminder to Catholics and all Christians that we are called to seek unity as followers of Jesus Christ,” said Very Rev. Thomas A. Baima, Vicar for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Archdiocese of Chicago. “My hope is that Christians in Chicago remain open to making the time this week to pray together for the unity that Christ desires for his disciples.”

The following are local events celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:

Saturday, January 20 at 6 p.m.

St. Aloysius Parish, Thiele Center, 1510 North Claremont, Chicago
Reshaping the Reformation: How Did We Get Here? 

 

Sunday, January 21 at 10:30 a.m.

St. Nicolai United Church of Christ, 3000 North Kedzie, Chicago
Prayer Service for Unity

 

Sunday, January 21 at 3 p.m.

Messiah Lutheran Church, Park Ridge, IL (behind Advocate Lutheran General Hospital)
Service sponsored by John 17 Fellowship

 

Sunday, January 21 at 4:30 p.m.

St Nicholas Catholic Parish, Evanston 
Vespers for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 

 

Monday, January 22 at 7 p.m.

St. Giles Episcopal Church, Northbrook 
Ecumenical Prayer Service for Unity

 

Tuesday, January 23at 9:15 a.m.

William Tell Holiday Inn, Countryside

Christian Prayer Unity Breakfast with Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and Church Women United of Greater Chicago

 

Wednesday, January 24 at 7 p.m.

St. Gertrude Catholic Parish, Chicago
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Taize Service

 

Saturday, January 27 at 7 p.m.

St. Dorothy Catholic Church, 450 E. 78th St., Chicago

Ecumenical Prayer Service for Unity

 

For more information, please visit https://eia.archchicago.org/news-and-events/events/upcoming-events