Embracing Faith Through Relationships: International Day of Friendship

By Maria Bohan, Interim Communications Manager

This week’s “Embracing Faith” article will focus on Embracing Faith through Relationships.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

This past Saturday, July 30, was the United Nations’ International Day of Friendship. When the UN proclaimed this celebration in 2011, it was with a lofty goal—that promoting cross-cultural friendships would lead to peace between communities.

Although it will be decades until we know whether the UN’s goal was accomplished, we can see examples of the power of cross-community collaboration everywhere in our society, including in the advocacy efforts of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, NY.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 states that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” The Blauvelt Dominicans have taken this to heart. To amplify their advocacy efforts, they have partnered in their ministry with various lay community organizations as well as with two religious groups.

The first is the North American Dominican Promoters for Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation. This large group combines the power of various members of the Dominican family, including sisters, friars, nuns, associations, and laity, to promote its goals of fulfilling the Dominican charism.

The second group the Blauvelt Dominicans belong to is a local collaborative effort, the OPSCC (Dominican Sisters in Committed Collaboration with the Amityville, Blauvelt, Caldwell, Hope, Maryknoll, and Sparkill congregations).

Through the OPSCC, the sisters have engaged in actions to promote climate justice, dismantle racism, and advocate for migrant rights. The congregations also meet regularly to discuss their efforts and further their knowledge about the issues facing humanity today.

By continuing to strengthen the relationships in our lives and trying to understand other perspectives, we can effect positive change in our world and achieve the UN’s goal.