The International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations in 1983 and observed annually on September 21, is a date shared globally for all humanity to commit to peace and to contribute to building a culture of peace.
The sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent in Coraopolis, PA, began to prepare for this day in mid-June, cutting out 1,020 peace doves to distribute through a variety of local ministries and parishes, all carrying with them an awareness of this day to others as well as prayers for peace in the world. In addition, SM Alexander Klawinski inserted a dove into each envelope along with a bill payment to creditors, and individual sisters sent to shut-ins that they know personally.
S Grace Mare Spera, mission leader at McGuire Memorial in New Brighton, prepared another 500+ doves which she distributed to clients and staff there. Throughout the day, the sisters prayed for peace in the world along with the intentions of those who received a dove. Sisters whose schedule permitted took advantage of Eucharistic Adoration with the OLSH students for 45 minutes after school besides their regular period of adoration from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Sister Melanie said, “We do what we can do well: pray!”