Interfaith leaders: Is there room at the inn?

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

On Dec. 16, religious leaders will gather at First United Methodist Church at 2:30 p.m. to endorse an ?Interfaith Statement On Immigration.? The statement will come at the end of a procession through downtown Salt Lake City led by a young woman dressed like the Virgin Mary, riding a donkey, reenacting her and Joseph's efforts to find a suitable place to give birth to Jesus. The procession is meant to give adults and children an opportunity to reflect on who is told there is ?no room at the inn? in contemporary Utah. Shown is a photo from last year's interfaith posada. IC file photo

SALT LAKE CITY — The traditional posadas celebration season in the Diocese of Salt Lake City will begin with an interfaith procession that will start at the Cathedral of the Madeleine Sunday, Dec. 16, then proceed to the Cathedral of Saint Mark and end at First United Methodist Church.

"We gathered with different religious leaders to ask them to support and create a friendly and welcoming environment for the immigrants," said Diana Paredes, coordinator of Communities United (Comunidades Unidas).

This is the second year that an interfaith posada has been celebrated.

Las Posadas is a Hispanic tradition that enacts Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn during their journey to Bethlehem.

Comunidades Unidas has adopted a resolution that describes Salt Lake City as a city that welcomes everyone.

"We asked for the religious leaders’ support and they did it," said Paredes.

"I believe that here in Utah, more than any other state, religions and faith are honored and respected," Bishop Wester told the interfaith devotional audience at a presentation some months ago at Utah Valley University.

Paredes said that each religious leader participating in the posada wrote a letter in which they show their support to the development of a welcoming environment for everyone.

Following the procession, there will be a party with food and a talk about the importance of welcoming newcomers to the community.

The Cathedral of the Madeleine is located at 309 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City. The posada will begin at 2 p.m.

For information, contact Bill Tibbitts, Crossroads Urban Center, 801-364-7765 x 106.