Wisdom House To Present A Day of Prayerful Reflection With the Three Amigos
LITCHFIELD, Conn., April 28, 2023 – Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center at 229 East Litchfield Road in Litchfield will host the popular Three Amigos – Imam Gazmend Aga, Monsignor Joseph Donnelly, and Rabbi Eric Polokoff on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, for “A Day of Prayerful Reflection With The Three Amigos” from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Monsignor Joe Donnelly, Rabbi Eric Polokoff, and Imam Gazi are good friends, advocating for interfaith understanding and spiritual awareness. They have given talks offering their unique and shared perspectives on issues of concern at local religious gatherings. In this shared ministry, they have become affectionally known in the region as “The Three Amigos”.
The May 24th program at Wisdom House will focus on prayerful reflection on the experience of the Divine in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith traditions and how that experience is reflected in life and prayer. The day will feature input from the Three Amigos, plus the opportunity for both private and group prayer and reflection.
Monsignor Joseph Donnelly is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford. He received his theological education at the Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained there in 1971. He did further studies in Christian Spirituality at Creighton University in Omaha. He has served in several parishes in the archdiocese and as a member of the priestly formation faculty at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and the North American College in Rome. He also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury and as Episcopal Vicar for the Western region of the archdiocese. Father Joe currently serves at St. Thomas More Catholic Center at Yale University and regularly leads retreats for various groups of clergy and laity.
Rabbi Eric Polokoff is the founding Rabbi of B’nai Israel of Southbury, serving the congregation since 1997. He is active in Jewish and general communities, particularly as a leader within the Anti-Defamation League, the Connecticut Community Foundation, and the Southbury Clergy Association. Rabbi Eric was educated at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he received Rabbinic Ordination in 1990, as well as at Yale Divinity School, and Johns Hopkins University.
Imam Gazmend Aga is an Imam of the Albanian American Community in Waterbury and a University Chaplain at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Recently Imam Gazi is also serving as a Correctional Chaplain. He was Vice Chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania, a lecturer at Beder University, a school director, and an interfaith activist in Albania. He is active in interreligious discussions throughout the region.
Wisdom House is an interfaith retreat and conference center presenting programs in spirituality, wellness, the arts, and ecology, and offering hospitality to academic, civic, nonprofit, and business organizations. “We are committed to sustainability, justice, and welcoming people of all backgrounds and beliefs,” stated Wisdom House Executive Director Deborah Kelly. “We are excited to feature a full year of environmentally focused programs and exhibitions that will be open to the general public throughout 2023.”
The cost for “A Day of Prayerful Reflection” is $25/person and will include lunch. Registration is required by visiting https://www.wisdomhouse.org or calling 860-567-3163.
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Photos: RabbiEricPolokoff.jpg; ImamGazmendAga.jpg; FatherJoeDonnelly.jpg
Contacts: Deborah Kelly, deborah@wisdomhouse.org, 860-567-3163×1; Barbara Branagan-Mitchell 860-210-0149