Public invited to join St. Columban

in Taizé prayer service for Ukraine

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (March 10, 2022) – A prayer service for peace in Ukraine will take place Tuesday evening, March 15, in St. Columban Church in Loveland, Ohio.

Soldiers pray in peace in front of a religious icon. (Provided)

The public is invited to join in the Taizé prayer service for peace beginning at 7 p.m. in the church located at 894 Oakland Rd in Loveland. This ecumenical form of prayer is modeled on the style as practiced in the Taizé Community in France. Ecumenical means everyone is welcome, regardless of faith tradition. St. Columban Pastor, Reverend Larry Tensi and the staff want the entire community of Loveland to come together in prayer as we stand united for the people of Ukraine seeking peace and freedom from invasion and war.

“We are going to have a Taizé service on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in church,” said Rev. Tensi. “If you are familiar with the service, you will know it has many, many lit candles around images, especially icons which will be so appropriate for the night. So, too, the entire service will include music to help settle us in prayer.”

The special prayer service for peace in Ukraine is expected to last approximately one hour. It is also worthy to note, Taizé prayer services includes scripture, music and images to help bring peace and contemplative prayer. St. Columban sent out a message announcing details of the Tuesday evening prayer service late Thursday afternoon. It includes information on efforts to send aid directly to the Ukrainian people.

Taize prayer service includes many lit candles, music and scripture (St. Columban Church photo)

Here is the text of the message from St. Columban:

FROM ST. COLUMBAN: On Tuesday, March 15th at 7:00 p.m. we will have a Taizé prayer service for peace for all those affected by the violence in Ukraine and the surrounding area. This service includes scripture, music and images which foster contemplative prayer.

The school has friends at CHCA who have connections in Romania and are shipping supplies that will be of direct assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Items needed include: clothing, underwear, socks, and shoes; personal hygiene items including feminine products; diapers; batteries; water bottles; medical gloves; stuffed animals, crayons and coloring books.

You can deliver items directly to the CHCA high school at 11525 Snider Road, 45249 during school hours on Friday or on Saturday from 9 a.m. – Noon.

You may also bring those items to the Taizé service Tuesday, the 15th or to Masses at St. Columban this weekend where you can place items in marked bins

Church lit with the Ukraine National Flag colors (Provided)

PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
 
O Lord our God, look down with mercy on the Ukrainian people. Protect and save them from the unjust aggressors who seek to subdue them. Grant them steadfast trust in your mercy and protection. 
O Mother of God, who gave us your miraculous icon at Zarvanytsia, intercede for the Ukrainian people, who run to the shelter of your mercy in their time of need. 
O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Grant peace and protection to the people of Ukraine. Give them strength and courage to defend what is good, right, and holy. Keep them safe from harm and provide for all their needs, both temporal and spiritual. 
Hear our prayers, O Lord, and deliver us from distress, for you are merciful and compassionate and love mankind. To you we give glory: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

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Ukraine flag. Ukrainian flag on black storm cloud sky. stormy weather (I-stock image)

Taizé PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE FOR UKRAINE

  • St. Columban Church – 894 Oakland Rd. – Loveland, OH 45140
  • Tuesday, March 15, 2022
  • 7 p.m.
  • ALL ARE WELCOME to join this ecumenical prayer service
  • For more information, visit St. Columban online at: www.stcolumban.org