Rachael Durant, a Senior Girl Scout in Cranford, has completed her Silver Award project entitled “Planting Hope for Peace” with the installation of a peace pole outside of St. Michael’s Church. The pole was planted and celebrated during a ceremony and dedication, organized by Ms. Durant, on September 24 to commemorate International Day of Peace, observed around the world each year on September 21.
In 1981, the United Nations designated September 21 as the annual date of the International Day of Peace, calling on the global community to join efforts and strengthen the ideals of peace within and among all nations. There are tens of thousands of Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace. They serve as constant reminder for us to visualize and pray for world peace.
“For my project, I sought to plant a Peace Pole outside St. Michael Church as a reminder for us all to pray and work for peace in our community and throughout our world, and also as a reminder to stay hopeful during difficult times,” said Rachael Durant.
The pole stands alongside the Miln Street entrance to St. Michael Church. It includes the engraved message “May peace prevail on earth” in English as well as 7 other languages: Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, Russian and Gaelic.
The dedication service was attended by parishioners and community members, including the Mayor of Cranford. The prayer service included prayers for peace within our community and throughout the world and a blessing of the peace pole by Monsignor Shugrue. He encouraged people to use the peace pole as a visual reminder to pray for peace as they pass by it walking into or out of church or just driving by. The prayer service and blessing concluded with fellowship for all who attended.
The Silver Award is the second highest award of the Girl Scouts of the USA, and the highest award that a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. The project’s objective must be to benefit the community in some way and each Girl Scout is expected to contribute a minimum of 50 hours to the project.
About the Girl Scouts of Cranford
The Girl Scouts of Cranford boasts over 1,169 Girl Scout Members in 69 troops and is becoming one of the largest non-profit organizations in town. The Cranford Service Unit is a part of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) Council which is part of the Girl Scouts of the USA. If your family is interested in learning more about local Girl Scouts or to find out more information on the Girls Scouts of Cranford, please visit http://www.cranfordgirlscouts.com.
(above) The “Planting Hope for Peace” pole, located outside of St. Michael’s Church, earned Rachael Durant her Girl Scout Silver Award.
