This Friday, communities from every faith tradition will gather together in peace and goodwill at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Ballina for the World Day Of Prayer.
The country of focus this year is Vanuatu, which is still battered by the effects of Cyclone Pam.
In Ballina, a young man who served as a volunteer in Vanuatu, and experienced the cyclone first-hand, will speak about the challenges faced by the survivors.
His young daughter will speak about growing up in the multi-island nation.
The service has been prepared by the women of Vanuatu. This year’s theme is hope, with a focus is on gender-based sexual assault of women.
Beginning in Samoa, the same prayer, in different languages, will be said over a 24 hour period in many communities, in 170 countries around the world.
The service will begin at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church (on the corner of Cherry and Crane Streets, in Ballina) at 9am on Friday 5 March.
World Day Of Prayer events will be held across the Northern Rivers – check with your local church for times and locations.
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