Last Tuesday’s lectures, a doubleheader on April 17, provided fresh views on the classic prayer, the only prayer that Christ Jesus gave, the Lord’s Prayer.  For many, they heard new ideas that gave them an immediate lift.  And, in the days following the lecture one could hear among the church community the spirit of this individual’s comment being shared repeatedly, “I loved the lecture.  It will resonate with me for a long time.”

Our speaker, Fujiko Signs, sent us some photos taken following the event.  This one especially speaks to the spirit of fellowship felt during the events:

New friends gather with speaker Fujiko Signs (second from right)

We were so happy that among the audience there were new readers of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures who attended & sought Fujiko out, and had extended conversations after her presentation.  And, for those familiar with the Lord’s Prayer and Mary Baker Eddy’s spiritual sense of it — there was wide spread gratitude for the opportunity to deepen their understanding of this prayer that Eddy says “covers all human needs.”

If you would like to explore the Lord’s Prayer further, as we were encouraged to do during Fujiko’s presentation, there are several resources available in the Christian Science Reading Room:

• Bible translations, commentaries, and dictionaries are on hand to study on premise or purchase including Strong’s Concordance that Fujiko referenced.
• In My True Light and Life includes an insightful chapter about the evolution of Mary Baker Eddy’s spiritual sense of the Lord’s Prayer, see pp. 295-336.
• And, online, you can read an article about the significance of the the Lord’s Prayer to Christian Scientists and its founder, Mary Baker Eddy.

The full lecture will soon be available on this site to watch and share.  Stay tuned for an announcement about its availability.

Thanks to our lecture committee for organizing this event!  And, thanks to all of the congregation for supporting this public event by inviting neighbors, serving as hosts, making a financial contribution, and prayerfully supporting this event.

Old St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church will open its doors to the general public as well as to visitors from other religious and spiritual communities on Sunday, April 22, 2012 between 2-4pm.

This event is the seventh installment of the Sharing Sacred Spaces project, in which eight different communities of faith and practice in Chicago are inviting others in for an opportunity to observe, experience and learn what makes their space sacred.

Old St. Patrick’s Church has stood at the western gateway of Chicago’s Loop for more than 150 years. Built seven generations ago, this old city Church, a treasure born of the immigrant dream, has a history that reflects the cycles of the city’s industrial growth and economic depression. Old St. Patrick’s is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which wiped out so many and so much in this city. Old St. Patrick’s is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Founded in 1846 as the first English-speaking parish in the city, Old St. Pat’s current church building was designed in a Romanesque style by two of Chicago’s earliest practicing architects Augustus Bauer and Asher Carter. The stunningly beautiful sanctuary with world renown stained glass, Celtic designs painted on nearly every interior wall and gently curving pews invites visitors to a visual feast as they enter this sacred space

Today, Old St. Patrick’s is home to a membership of more than 3,000 households Come and learn about the history, traditions and spiritual practices of the Roman Catholic church, the vision of this congregation and its commitment to the city of Chicago.

Come and enjoy this congregation’s hospitality and start up a conversation. Bring questions, engage with others.  The doors will be open. Come on in!

Old St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
700 W. Adams
Chicago, IL 60661
312-648-1021
www.oldstpats.org

To all who participated in yesterday’s Sharing Sacred Spaces Open House at Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist – thank you, thank you.  It was a beautiful spring day to gather in fellowship.   It was an honor to host our budding interfaith community!

Thanks, too, to all the members from 17th Church who helped with spring cleaning and got the church ready for our guests, spoke during the program, greeted guests and facilitated the break out sessions, brought refreshments, helped to plan the event, and supported the event.

Enjoy these photos highlighting the day!

We’re looking forward to next month’s event at Old St Patrick’s Church.