All Faith Service honors human dignity

At the end of this year’s annual All Faith Service, Professor Carlton Floyd said, “We know that human life is sacred… it is our duty to create a just society.”
His words echoed the event’s theme, “Honoring Human Dignity,” which was recognized through a Native American Prayer, Muslim Poems, Christian Reflection, Jewish Tale, Hindu Dance and a Buddhist Prayer.
At the beginning of each spring semester leaders, from diverse faith communities, USD faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends celebrate, along with the Catholic Church, the respect held for the individual religious traditions represented at the university.
The service started with a procession of flags representing 22 different countries, followed by the leaders of six different religions. Students, faculty, staff and community members who came to view the service occupied Shiley Theatre.
Junior Wynona Peters said she was there to “support my friend who is doing a reading in the service.” Other students, like senior JD Horner, were there simply out of curiosity or their own personal religious growth.
Monsignor Daniel J. Dillabough, USD’s vice president of University Ministry opened up the service with a welcome speech and introduction for the proceedings. First, Michael Madrigal performed a Native American call to prayer, which was accompanied by incense and a musical instrument. After the prayer there was a Prayer of Intercession which was given by a USD student. Next, USD dancers clothed in white dresses danced to the choir’s singing of “Creator God.”
Muslim poems were then recited in Farsi by Bahar Davary as Setar accompaniment Amir Etemadzadeh played in the background. The English verses of the three poems were available to the audience. During the prayer of intercession student Mohammad AlBader asked Allah to “fill out hearts with light and dignity to honor others.”
Monsignor Joseph Carroll, currently a priest at St. Vincent de Paul, then gave the Christian reflection. Father Joe and his staff at St. Vincent de Paul are dedicated to helping people overcome homelessness with services focused on self-sufficiency. While speaking, he reminded the audience why it is important to volunteer time to those who are less fortunate. Father Joe’s closing remark was a wish that “we do everything to enhance life and dignity!”
After Monsignor Carroll spoke, the audience was presented with a Jewish tale given by Rabbi Ralph Dalin. Rabbi Dalin told the tale of “The Hands of God,” saying that, “When we work together we are the hands of God. That each day we can act upon the fact that we are His hands.”
Yudhisthir Nayak and Laboni Patnaik performed a dance entitled “Odissi Dance.” The male and female duo danced around the stage clothed in bells and bright colors. The prayer of intercession that followed their dance was given by Nikita Mehta who asked that we all “respect creation.”
Lastly, the Venerable Samtin Rinpoche recited a Buddhist prayer in Tibetan. He called the audience to “open your heart, help those that need help. Together we can make this beautiful earth most peaceful.”
The concluding meditation was given by Carlton Floyd who told the audience that, “We come to you as many believers, but are united with the desire to respect each human life.” After he spoke a slide show of USD faculty, staff and students participating in a variety of different community service projects was presented.
When asked about the service, junior Joseph Rocha stated with a smile, “It was a wonderful reflection of the University. It definitely inspired me!”