The World Day of Prayer was celebrated at St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish in North Battleford March 1.
This year the focus of the ecumenical service was on the women of France who invited everyone to pray under the theme "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
The service began with the congregation being introduced to six women whose personal stories profile the multicultural nation of modern France. This opening activity was followed by prayers, scripture readings, music and a reflection given by speaker Betty Stone, all of which helped convey the message that welcoming a stranger "empowers us to build connections and create community where all will be welcomed."
In this celebration, members of all denominations in North Battleford joined with Christians in more than 170 countries around the world and 2,000 communities across Canada to pray and act in solidarity with the people of France.
In keeping with the goal of creating welcoming communities, donations were received and will be forwarded to headquarters which will then distribute the funds to projects in Canada and throughout the world.
The afternoon concluded with coffee and fellowship in St. Joseph Church Hall.
