Programs

Summary of the Work

Program Brochures

Brochure 2021
Brochure 2020
Brochure 2017
Brochure 2013

 

InterFaith Connections

The InterFaith Connections Program, began in 2006 by Tom Bonacci,

We provide home, local-based, and ZOOM educational programs to persons and groups interested in developing or enhancing their appreciation of the faith traditions of the World.  We design introductory programs to help participants cope with inherited stereotypes, innocent misunderstandings, embarrassing questions, or general knowledge of the many faith traditions of humankind.  In addition, we provide contact information for those who would like to meet people from various faith traditions and perhaps visit their places of worship. 

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Brochure

 

Dialogue with Interfaith Friends

The Dialogue with Interfaith Friends was founded in 2007 by Rev. Margaretmary Staller and Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P., following the August 12, 2007 burning of the Islamic Center of the East Bay in Antioch CA, 

The Dialogue with Interfaith Friends Program is designed to assist us in developing practical educational programs for interfaith understanding and cooperation.  We constantly review the principles of dialogue as we engage people of diverse cultures, philosophies, and faith traditions.  The Sufi teaching inspires us, “I am a better me because I meet you.”

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Dialogue with Interfaith Leaders Brochure

 

Sacred Visits

The Sacred Visits Project began in 2009 by Rev. Andrea Goodman, President of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Peace Project.

Sacred Visits are guided experiences to diverse places of worship reflecting the  beauty and sacredness of the World’s faith traditions. Sacred Visits are designed to promote peace and unity through on-site experiences. We open our hearts to everyone as we meet and interact with people from different faith traditions. As we open our hearts to one another, we deepen our faith and act in service to all.

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Sacred Visits Brochure

 

The IntraFaith Project

Participants gain personal insight over a series of meetings through conversations, projects, and experiments exploring the reality and possibility for the practice and study of Interfaith Spirituality.  Dialogue with others begins in the depth of the heart.  We begin our work with honest discussions stemming from the truth of ourselves as we prepare to encounter others in the depth of dialogue.

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The InterPath Project

The Interpath Project is designed to evolve and grow with insights from participants interested in the future of religion, spirituality, and the well-being of the World.  Engagement in these programs promotes personal insight, growth, and transformation for the sake of others and the World.  We discover the vital interconnectedness, interrelationship, and interdependence of all Beings and Natures in our own self-awareness born of love, compassion, empathy, and radical openness.  We call this practice, this awareness, this learning, “THE INTERPATH JOURNEY.”

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Creating Interfaith Home Centers

We offer consultation and suggestions as to how a person’s home might become a place for the practice of Interfaith love and understanding.  A simple picture book of the Faith Traditions of humankind placed on a coffee table may touch the hearts of anyone who visits.  A niche, room, or any space can be dedicated to the diversity that is the spiritual traditions of the World.

 

The International Day of Peace

The Interfaith Peace Project co-sponsors various activities commemorating The United Nations International Day of Peace each September 21st. “If we can keep peace for twenty-four hours, perhaps, we can be peaceful for a lifetime!” – George De Angelo, Ph.D., friend and co-founder of the International Day of Peace in 1982.

International Day of Peace Newsletters and Brochures:

September 2017
Fr. Tom’s Letter September 2017
November 2016
September 2016
Fr Tom’s Letter September 2016
October 2015
September 2015
Fr. Tom’s Letter September 2015
November 2014
September 2014
December 2013
September 2013
January 2013
September 2012
September 2011
March 2011

 

International Women’s Day

The observance of the International Women’s Day, March 8, provides for us an opportunity to celebrate the achievements women have made for the benefit of humankind.  The day also brings attention to the continued inequality, injustice, and harm women face in the pursuit of their freedom and human dignity. The Interfaith Peace Project recognizes and respects women’s voice in ancient times and contemporary society.  We believe the rise of women’s voice in recent time is facilitating major change and development in human awareness and consciousness.

Our first observance of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2015, marked a turning point in our work here at The Interfaith Peace Project. Our celebration involved many dedicated people who sang and danced their way into our hearts. We have decided to integrate the wisdom and challenge of that initial observance into our daily life, work and consciousness. Every day is International Women’s Day.

2018 Observance
2017 Observance
2016 Observance
2015 Observance:
2015 Brochure
2015 Celebration on March 8
Letter Introducing International Women’s Day
Circle of Women Brochure
Study Guide
Printable Study Guide
Feedback Form

Biographies to Consider- Self
Biographies to Consider – Family
Biographies to Consider – Community
Biographies to Consider – Country
Biographies to Consider – Care of the Earth

Videos and Articles on Women’s Issues

 

Peace Pole Initiative

We are committed to the long-held tradition of establishing Peace Poles in communities and homes to raise peacemaking consciousness among as many people as possible.  The Peace Pole Project was founded in 1955 by Masahisa Goi in Japan after the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima.  The Interfaith Peace Project takes the initiative to plant Peace Poles in various places as we practice peace in all the affairs of life.  The Peace Pole is a reminder and a marker calling us to be people of peace.

Lonnie Bristow, M.D., a member of the Board of Directors, established our Peace Pole Initiative. Lonnie is an award-winning physician and is a former President of the American Medical Association.

 

The “O” Street Project

The “O Street” Project is a simple, humble outreach to persons who are houseless, poor, neglected, or forgotten.  We offer some immediate relief, personal greetings, and friendship to people in unfortunate situations.  The people we meet are from diverse communities of faith.  Their gratitude, courage, and wisdom transform our work, helping us to realize how important it is for people of faith to be people of justice, care, and compassion.  

 

Interfaith Prayer Services

Rev. Patrick Davis, a member of the Board of Directors, began organizing The Interfaith Prayer Outreach Services in 2008 for both adults and teenagers.

We offer interfaith prayer services at various locations.  We can also help establish personal interfaith prayer and ritual practice.  We are constantly exploring multiple possibilities seeking proper and respectful ways to pray and ritualize according to the emerging interfaith spirituality. 

 

Interfaith Spiritual Direction

Our spiritual directors invite anyone to explore the depth of their lives and souls.  We also provide programs for spiritual directors who desire an introduction to the faith traditions of the World.  We survey the spiritual approaches of the diverse faith traditions.  These programs are designed for individuals or groups.

 

Interfaith Reading Rooms

We help and provide suggestions for establishing Interfaith Reading Rooms in various locations, enabling visitors to appreciate and access the World’s Faith Traditions.  Our Centers also provide Reading Rooms arranged with books and appropriate artifacts for personal reflection and study.  Reading Rooms can be established for a few hours or several days.

Antioch Library and Center
Books in the Antioch Library

 

Dialogue with Interfaith Teens and Young Adults

We stand with the World Interfaith Community, seeking practical means by which our children can claim the right to live in peace and harmony.  We honor the spirituality of the children of the World.  We consciously and deliberately seek the wisdom of all children.  The Interfaith Peace Project believes every child has the right to religious freedom and should enjoy the privilege of seeking the wisdom of the faith traditions of humankind.

 

Ministerial Support Outreach

We offer practical reviews of life and ministry for participants who desire to realize the scope and significance of their interfaith and peacemaking involvement.  These informal encounters offer friendship to those who seek to be of Interfaith service and care in the World. 

 

The Recovery of Women’s Voice in Ancient Text and Contemporary Society

The recovery of the feminine voice makes possible the recognition of the dignity of all people as together we struggle to bless our World with peace, compassion, and healing justice.  We seek to discover, hear, and celebrate the voice of women in ancient texts and contemporary society.  Our quest goes beyond equal rights since we truly believe the recovery of the feminine and the retrieval of women’s voices and wisdom is essential to the betterment of the World.

 

The Study of Religion and Violence

Religion is often misused in the pursuit of prejudice, stereotyping, and violence.  Our ongoing study explores the causes of such misuse of religion as we seek practical and immediate remedies.  We are especially concerned with the misuse of “sacred” writings to support the domination of women, children, or any perceived “minority” people.  Our study seeks to empower people to take charge of their lives to pursue human dignity for all.

 

The Parliament of the World’s Religions

Rev. Thomas P. Bonacci and Rev. Andrea Goodman will presented the program, “A New Model of Interfaith Peace”, at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 2015. The handout for their presentation can be found here.

 

Spiritual Companionship

 

The Beloved Scripture Program