On Good Friday, April 14, 2017, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, and Chancellor of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, led a group of more than 1,500 people from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist communities, of all ages and backgrounds on a Walk for Peace through Englewood. Walk participants included civic, education and religious leaders, as well as individuals and families directly affected by the violence in Chicago, Archdiocesan clergy and parishioners, police officers, health professionals and fire officials.
Mundelein Seminary was represented by Fr. Brian Welter (Vice Rector for Formation), Fr. Brad Zamora (Directory of Liturgy) and Ms. Patricia Klein (Associate Dean of Formation). Fr. Thomas A. Baima (Vice Rector for Academic Affairs) also took part in his role as Vicar for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, with the religious leaders who joined Cardinal Cupich in this act of prayer and solidarity. The group traced the Stations of the Cross and paused along the way to read the names of lives lost to violence in Chicago this year and to hear testimonials from people directly impacted by the violence.
