The Interfaith Café was a time to share good food and learn about the birth traditions for area faith communities.
Almost 130 people enjoyed lunch prepared and served by the members of the Sikh Temple, then heard presentations before breaking into discussion groups.
“Someone at our table told us about a Muslim tradition that when a baby is born, the father or grandfather whispers the name of God in its ear and puts a drop of honey on its lips so it will always associate sweetness with the name of God,” said Eva Strom, one of the Bahá’i representatives on the Interfaith Bridging Project committee, which organizes events to promote interfaith understanding and friendship.
Last year, the committee had Interfaith Cafés and a variety of workshops and cultural events.
“That’s a beautiful tradition,” said Maytée Ferrigno, who represents the Latin American community and the Catholic faith. She and Strom emphasized that they speak for themselves and only generally for other members of their faith groups.
They were pleased with the variety of people, including youth, at Interfaith Café Feb. 24.
“Many people told us they will come back,” said Strom.
The March Interfaith Café will be held March 24 at the Japanese Cultural Centre and will focus on coming-of-age traditions and customs. There will be a presentation on the Bar Mitzvah, and Ferrigno will talk about Quinceañera, the Latin American celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday.
“It is the time when a girl is considered a woman and can wear makeup and high heels. She has a special party with family and friends. I remember how I looked forward to being 15 and having my own party and going to all my friends’ parties,” said Ferrigno, who came to Canada from Guatemala when she was newly married.
“Quinceañera is also a spiritual time, a time of special blessing at the church for life as a woman. Some consecrate their bouquet of flowers to the Virgin Mary, not necessarily to become nuns but to become closer to their faith and to grow in it all their lives whatever they do. Now it is becoming popular for boys to celebrate becoming 15 as well.”
The adherents of the Bahá’i faith also see 15 as an age of spiritual maturity.
“When both male and female become 15, they are considered spiritual adults and they can confirm their belief in Bahá’u’lláh and are then responsible to God only for the obligatory prayer and fasting,” said Strom.
Everyone is welcome to the Interfaith Café.
“People off all faith backgrounds or no special spiritual affiliation are welcome to come and learn and talk or just listen. We each speak from our hearts, it is very personal, you cannot speak for your whole religion but tell your experiences,” said Ferrigno.
The Interfaith Café takes place March 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Japanese Cultural Centre, 4895 Bella Vista Rd., Vernon. The event is free and there will be multi-cultural refreshments served. The Interfaith Committee will present three more workshops later in the year with information on marriage and families, elders, and death and dying, as well as a well as a creative interactive drama on life experiences.
The Interfaith Bridging Project is sponsored by Embrace BC Multiculturalism Programs, Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology, and administered by Vernon and District Immigrant Services. There is also some funding from the Government of Canada.
