Gathered around the peace pole in front of the main entrance, staff and guests of Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center and Dominican Sisters of Hope prayed for peace. Those gathered processed to the bell, where the prayers and song continued and the bell was rung to mark the occasion. The ceremony ended with a sign of peace from the Middle Eastern Assyrian, Chaldean Catholic rite – taking peace from one another and then sending it out to the universe – followed by the song, “Let the Healing Begin” (Jan Novatka). See pictures below.

A prayer service was also held in the chapel at the Newburgh Center of Hope.