ACS Prays for Peace

Thanks to Sister Joseph Spring for sharing the following:

Students of Assumption College for Sisters Celebrate the International Day of Peace

On September 21,  international resident students of Assumption College for Sisters (ACS), Denville, gathered in the convent chapel to participate in a special prayer commemorating the International Day of Peace.  The altar was surrounded by flags representing the countries of origin of the resident students.

After an explanation of the day was given by Sister Joseph Spring, President, students alternated in reading quotes of peace from many people around the world and throughout history. At the conclusion of the prayer, ACS faculty member, Jean Wedemeier, explained and distributed mission rosaries that she herself made, reminding the students and those assembled, that only through prayer will world peace be achieved.

The International Day of Peace was created in 1981 when the United Nations resolved to observe September 21 each year for the purpose of fostering peace throughout the world through focusing on common goals, alleviating tensions and recognizing causes of conflict. The previous UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has used the International Day of Peace to call for a nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. UN member states have also been urged to commemorate the International Day of Peace with a global ceasefire in any sort of warfare that they are engaged in.  By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of humankind to work in cooperation for this goal.

To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents. It was given as a gift by the Diet of Japan, and is referred to as "a reminder of the human cost of war." The inscription on its side reads: "Long live absolute world peace."

Pictured here from left to right are the international resident students who have come to Assumption College for Sisters for the first time this year:  Sister Maria Hoa Thi An Bui, SPP (Vietnam); Sister Maria Atai Agnes Ongodia, IHMR (Uganda);  Sister Yosari Magdalena Menjivar Diaz, OMO (el Salvador); Sister Donatha Gerard, FSSB (Tanzania); Sister Maria Jesca Lucy Alitubeera, IHMR (Uganda); Sister Maria Yen Thi Hai Cao, SPP (Vietnam).

Assumption College for Sisters is a two-year Sister Formation College, the only one of its kind in the United States.  For more information, visit www.acs350.org.