The Auckland Interfaith Council and Mercy Spirituality Centre sponsored an event on the theme of Gratitude.
More than 50 participants came to the retreat centre in Epsom last month to listen and to share thoughts on the subject.
Ten speakers of different faith traditions were asked to share how gratitude is expressed in their tradition.
The faith traditions were Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Interfaith/ Interspiritual, Sikh, Mormon, Baha’i, Anglican and Jewish.
Michael Wood, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities, was among the participants.
Beate Matthies, the manager of Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre and Catholic member on the Auckland Interfaith Council Committee, summarised the essence of each presentation. Some key concepts were similar in many different faiths: the gratitude to God or a Supreme being, kindness, reflection, meditation and reaching out to neighbours.
A golden opportunity for the Catholics to offer the miracles of the Eucharist, which other faiths may not come into contact with. In this way, Catholicism will be respected the more.