“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song” ~ Psalm 95:2

On Nov.  22, 2016, Regina Dominican held a very special prayer service. This service, among many, is meant to unite students, faculty and staff. This service calls on the community to share talents, and to show the diversity of within the school.

This is the day people with different cultures and backgrounds come together to share something spiritual in thanksgiving. This year students, from diverse nationalities came together to give thanks for our many blessings in an artistic manner.

To start the service, Miss Bigane gave us a warm welcome. Consecutively, Rachel Lucas ’18 and Maggie McNaughton ’17 started the service with the opening scripture reflection. Next, Alida Blendonohy ’17, Anna Li ’18 and Chloe Guo ’18 introduced the Lord’s Prayer in Ukrainian, Mandarin and Cantonese. Next, Clover Sang ’18 and Xindi Sun ’18 sung a song in Chinese.

Then, Amber Kim ’19 and Anaisabel Lopez ’17 presented the Apostles’ Creed in Korean and Spanish. Afterwards, Anaisabel Lopez and Mrs. Gomez gave a Hispanic Cultural Reflection. Additionally, president Mrs. Schuster gave an Indian Cultural Reflection. Afterwards, Coco Bi ’20, Jill Zhan ’20, and Grace Zhao ’18 performed a Japanese Dance.

Tina Starcevic ’17 and Alex Sweilem ’19 both presented the Hail Mary in Croatian and Latin, and Helena Walo and Alessia Girardin prayed the Lord’s Prayer in Latin and French. Sharing their trip to Lourdes, France were Maddy Fox ’17, Sam Koutnik ’17 and Allie Svachula ’17. Additionally, Ceilidh McClintic ’17 and Kirby Weiland ’17 shared their experiences at Jerusalem Farm.

Addy Donahue ’18, Nina Menon ’18 and Ms. Speth provided an Irish dance. The dance was followed by a beautiful Irish tune on the harp played by Gillian King ’18. Then Fr. Peter Wojcik shared his Polish Cultural Reflection as well as his message from the church. Finally, Ms. Eichler and Ying Zhou ’20 concluded with a German and Mandarin blessing. Ying Zhou ’20 also included a song to introduce her Mandarin culture.

To wrap up the service, Rachel Lucas ’18 read the cultural reflection on: Dominican Charism on behalf of Olivia Janikas ’17. The  service concluded with the community sharing a thanksgiving prayer.  Rachel Lucas ’18 and Maggie McNaughton ’17 finished the service by sharing closing remarks. During the service, several montages were playing for Regina students and staff to give thanks.

Coming from a diverse family, my dad is French, and my mom is Peruvian, it was awe-inspiring to see all of the cultures come together and share a valuable bond for thanksgiving. This prayer service is a way for our community to come together, through all walks of life, from different backgrounds, and interests to share our talents with one another.

This special thanksgiving service is an opportunity to share one’s own culture in order to unite and touch everyone’s hearts with others. The Regina Dominican community is very grateful for those who participated in this special and moving service.