SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Rev. Robert Koerber believes respect and religious tolerance are more important now than ever before.
With this in mind, he has helped organize the second annual International Shugden Dorje Awareness Day at the Holy Name of Jesus Parish, National Catholic Church, at 15 Thayer St. in South Deerfield, set for Saturday. Representatives from various Tibetan communities from across the United States and Canada will join area clergy and laypeople of other faiths to recall the need for the teaching of love, peace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.
Koerber said the event is a chance to “put away differences” in a world with “too many guns, too many drugs, too many gangs, too much hate, too much anger.”
Traditional Tibetan food, prepared by members of the various Tibetan communities, will be shared in a buffet starting at 3 p.m., and a special concert will be held in the church at 5 p.m. Penpa Tsering, a musician from the Boston area, will offer traditional Tibetan songs on various musical instruments. Brothers Sonam and Lobsang Gyaltsen will perform other peace songs. There will also be music from other faiths.
Koerber said he is particularly excited about the planned attendance of the Venerable Rana Rata Orchie, who Koerber said is a most honored Tibetan monk from Mongolia and will share some words of peace.
Also, an angel serving as a centerpiece to the church’s meditation garden will be blessed. Koerber said Sonam Lama of South Deerfield will help construct new stonework for this spot, which will serve as a place of prayer, reflection and meditation for anyone who visits.
The following day, the Holy Name of Jesus Parish will celebrate its 90th anniversary. A special anniversary Mass of the Eucharist will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. by the Most Rev. Anthony A. Mikovsky, along with the Rt. Rev. Paul Sobiechowski and other area clergy. A barbecue at South Deerfield Polish American Citizens Club on South Main Street will follow.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.