IFTAR “BREAK THE FAST” CELEBRATION

Father Quinnan with Anthony Stevens-Arroyo and Semih Kiyma

The Church of Saint Luke hosted an Iftar dinner in the Jacques Center on Wednesday, March 12th. The event was organized by the parish Faithful Neighbors Ministry in cooperation with the Muslim Chestnut Retreat Center in Saylorsburg.

Parishioners seated with Muslims from the Chestnut Retreat Center

Some 50 people from St. Luke’s, the neighboring parish of St. John’s in Bushkill and Muslim organizers listened to presentations about the traditions of fasting in Islam and Catholicism.

A large crowd watches the Chestnut Retreat Center video

Before the breaking of the day-long fast from all water and food during the month of Ramadan, Mr. Semih Kiyma recited a traditional chant in Arabic and then delivered an inclusive prayer in English that blessed all there and asked for God’s blessing on Pope Francis.

Table settings provided by the Chestnut Retreat Center

Every table seated Catholics and Muslims together to share their faith experiences together while all were treated to a delicious dinner. Faithful Neighbors Ministry organizes events with other faith communities that provide St. Luke’s Parish the opportunity to learn from, to pray with, and work together for God’s holy work.

Semih Kiyma, who was the organizer from Chestnut Retreat Center at the Iftar, commented to Anthony Stevens-Arroyo “It was truly a pleasure for us to be your guests last night. I could see the curiosity in people's eyes and the warmth in their welcome. Our friends really enjoyed meeting the St. Luke’s community. I also heard wonderful feedback about your speech. Everyone really loved it! Your approach, starting with a broad perspective and then going into the details of Lent, was both enlightening and helpful in understanding the connections between our fasting traditions. Thank you!”

Anthony Stevens-Arroyo explaining the Catholic Lenten Fast