Student Interfaith Encounter invites Holy Cross students of all faiths to explore the beliefs and practices of a variety of religious groups. Several times a semester, students can visit a local church, synagogue, ashram, mosque, or other religious community.  Each visit will include an opportunity to observe the host religious community at prayer or worship, and a chance to speak with the clergy and/or other members of the community about that religious tradition.  An open invitation will be extended to all Holy Cross students for each visit.  Students are free to attend just one, or a number of visits.

Student Interfaith Encounter is sponsored by the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture and is coordinated by Colleen Oates, '04,  Charlotte Sinclair, '03, and Prof. Tom Landy. 

Spring, 2002

Saturday, February 2, 2002 - Congregation Beth Israel, a Conservative synagogue in Worcester, MA. Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum and Prof. Patricia Bizzell will host us. Congregation Beth Israel and its rabbi were featured in Paul Wilkes' 1994 book, And They Shall Be My People: an American Rabbi and His Congregation. We will attend services from 9 AM to Noon, and then will eat a light lunch, or " kiddush," followed by discussion. To register, contact Mrs. Pat Hinchliffe, Secretary, CREC, at 793-3869 or phinchli@holycross.edu by Monday, January 28.

Friday, February 22, 2002 - Islamic Society of Greater Worcester. The Society's religious director, Shaikh Hamid Mahmood, will host us. To register, contact Mrs. Pat Hinchliffe, Secretary, CREC, at 793-3869 or phinchli@holycross.edu by Friday, February 15.

Sunday, April 21, 2002 - Salem Covenant Church , a Swedish-American Protestant church founded in 1880.  Pastor Mark Frykholm and Prof. John Schmalzbauer will host.  Buses leave Holy Cross at 10:00 AM and return by 2:30 PM.To register, contact Mrs. Pat Hinchliffe, Secretary, CREC, at 793-3869 or phinchli@holycross.edu by Monday, March 11.