Today the Peace Torch was shared by many people attending three different houses of worship in Miami. At St. Martha's Catholic Church we were welcomed in a beautiful open-air amphitheater by Rev. Wilfredo Contreras and the wonderful choir who had just finished conducting a Mass indoors.

Rev. Contreras gave his kind opening remarks as he welcomed our Miami team consisting of eight members from five different countries.

Salil Wilson, the Executive Director of the World Harmony Run gave a brief explanation of our visit here followed by the runners each introducing themselves and their country of origin. We then sang the World Harmony Run theme song composed by the Founder, Sri Chinmoy.

The members of the Parish who were in attendance then passed the Torch from person to person, each offering their prayers and wishes for a more peaceful world.

In speaking with some of the members of the church, including one of the Nuns who worked at the gift shop, we found there was much inspiration from and support for what we were doing.

The philosophy of peace beginning from the sincere individual heart and spreading person to person seems to be a universal principle that many faithful people practice and share in their lives. We are grateful to be able to share these principles with the kind people who invited us into their houses of worship today.

Later that day we were greeted by Rev. Albert Cutié of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Biscayne Park, Miami. After hearing the beautiful Mass conducted in Spanish, our team went up to the podium and introduced ourselves. We sang the World Harmony Run theme song and passed the Torch around to the many in attendance there.

One of our hard working Miami coordinators, Drishti Pliske, offers Rev. Cutié a colorful painting by Sri Chinmoy dedicated to World Harmony.

Each time we pass the Torch around to people who wish offer their prayers for peace we get an uplifting sense of gratitude and happiness from the enthusiastic and soulful response.

 The third and final church of the day was the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Miami Shores, Miami.

Father Pedro Corces welcomed us up to the podium in this very large and colorful church after his inspiring Mass.

The choir offered very beautiful music during the mass as well. When we sang the World Harmony Run theme song the piano player for the choir easily picked up the tune and was able to play along to everyone's surprise.

Going outside in the courtyard afterwards many of the people were able to hold the Torch and offer their goodwill and wishes for peace and harmony. Many people wanted their photos taken with the Torch as they shared their own sincere enthusiasm for our efforts to share peace and friendship in this way.

We are very grateful to Durjaya and Drishti Pliske for their hard work at putting together these wonderfully uplifting meetings with these three houses of worship today. They also offered us food, drinks and snacks all day long which kept us going all the way into the evening.

– Arpan

Team Members:
Arpan DeAngelo (New York), Prabhakar Street (Canada), Salil Wilson (Australia), Lunthita Duthely (Florida), Durjaya Pliske (Florida), Drishti Pliske (Florida), Niyojita Purevsuren (Mongolia), Miviam Castellano (Venezuela), Mahiruha Buncick (Florida), Michaelangelo (Switzerland), Hilda Tirado (Peru)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

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