Several of our friars attended a very special event in the Archdiocese of Edmonton on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Newman Theological College.

Since this year, Lent and Ramadan coincide, men and women from the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities and the Archdiocese of Edmonton decided to come together for a Lent-Ramadan Potluck Iftar (evening meal) at the Newman Theological College. The event, which was organized by a mixed committee of five Catholics and five Muslims, is part of a long tradition of interreligious dialogue in Edmonton.

All were welcomed by Julien Hammond, the Principal Secretary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, who has been instrumental for many years in building bridges of friendship between religious faith communities. After each community prayed their respective evening prayers, they came together for a meal to share the delicacies each community had prepared for the other. This was followed by a panel discussion on the topic of Muslim-Christian relations led by two Catholic and two Muslim panelists centered on the shared concerns of these communities.

As the photos attest, a good time was widely had by all among the new and renewed friendships. Special thanks to Brother Carlos Ona and Brother Bob Mokry, both from our Edmonton friary, who served as part of the organizing committee and panel participant, respectively.