The SJC Brooklyn community came together Tuesday for the campus’ annual Breads of the World ceremony. Held in recognition of Thanksgiving, the ceremony uses breads — and song and prayer — to reflect on the needs of the world.
Dr. Donald R. Boomgaarden presents bread with students during the ceremony.
Kean Hawker, coordinator of Multicultural Student Life on campus, said she often hears students call the ceremony their favorite event of the year. As the name of the event suggests, the ceremony features breads from different cultures across the world — including challah; rotti, tortilla; Irish soda; Italian, French and German breads; hard dough bread; and wheat bread.
Each loaf is presented with a small reading, before a basket of the freshly baked bread is placed on a horseshoe-shaped table at the center of Tuohy Hall. A small group of students, staff, including St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., presented the loaves.
At the close of the ceremony, the attendees came together at the table to feast on soup and bread.
Campus Ministry, Multicultural Student Life and the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership organized the ceremony.
“It’s wonderful when you have a diverse campus to be able to include everyone in a Thanksgiving celebration and share a meal together,” said Sister Marie Mackey, director of campus ministry.
She added that the ceremony delivers to her the feeling of a strong sense of community on campus — especially when she listens to the message in the hymns sung by Christian Branch, assistant for campus events and technical services.
“Bread is the most basic food, and yet it is one of the oldest foods used to sustain people,” S. Mackey said. “Regardless of religion, [Breads of the World] brings us together for a common ritual.”
