On a cold January evening, Christians from across the community gathered at Holy Redeemer Church for the annual Prayer for Christian Unity, sponsored by the North-East Ministerial Association.
Pastors and ministers from various denominations shared Scripture readings before Bishop Thomas Dowd offered a warm and insightful homily on ecumenism and Christian unity.
Bishop Dowd opened with heartfelt gratitude: “It’s a real honour for me to be with you this evening. And it warms my heart to see so many of you coming out on a really cold night to pray for Christian Unity.”
He explained ecumenism in simple, relatable terms, describing it as “Christians from different denominations and faith backgrounds nonetheless working together to try and build what Christ desires for His Church.”
Reflecting on the world around us, he noted, “Would we say that the world is more united in 2026 than it was in 2025 or 2024? … Maybe we’re not moving in the right direction.”
Unity, he reminded us, is ultimately a grace: “We have to be open to that grace… sometimes the very act of asking unlocks the key of our heart to receive God’s gift.”
He also highlighted the roots of the ecumenical movement, which began around 1910, emphasizing the need for “genuine unity — not just of doctrine but of heart.”
Enjoy photos from this joyful gathering.
And take a momento to view the video of Bishop Dowd’s full homilhy – a clear, heartfelt exploration of what “Christian Unity” and “Ecumenism” truly means.
It’s time well spent!