Genevieve Anderson, a high school chaplain with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and former Faith Connections co-ordinator, has been planning the event for half a year.

“The title, Eat, Pray, Share definitely reflects the goal and intention of this group — we will eat together, we will pray together and share our life stories,” Anderson said. “I wanted to find a way to connect my passion for eating with my passion for spiritual growth and community building.”

Each session will be hosted at a private house that belongs to the Sisters of St. Joseph in the High Park neighbourhood. The group will first share a meal together prepared by some of the participants. Then participants will listen to readings from Scripture and articles. The theme for the first session was hospitality. Other topics will include grace, fasting, feasting and the Eucharist. After some private reflection, the group will reassemble to share their reactions and opinions on the session’s theme, followed by dessert. The sessions will end with a call to action, where the participants apply what they have learned to their everyday lives.

{sa 0143118420}Halina Salciccioli took part in the first session. “When I heard about the opportunity to share and reflect on my passions for food, community, self-reflection and faith, I did not want to pass up on the opportunity to be involved,” said Salciccioli.

The private reflection component of the evening resonated with her. “This part of the session required me to sit, think and reflect,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much of a challenge that would be. I needed to settle down and introspectively identify all the events in my life which represent the tangible manifestations of my faith within the theme of hospitality.” Anderson said the Eat, Pray, Share sessions remind her of the story in the Bible when the disciples recognize Jesus after the Resurrection and He breaks the bread before the meal.

“I think that is the benefit that our group will experience,” Anderson said. “Food is intrinsically spiritual — but sometimes we forget that there is an intrinsic connection that food can reveal to us something about God, especially when it comes to sharing a meal with two or more persons.”   

For more information about Eat, Pray, Share, see www.faithconnections.ca.

(Gagliano, 19, is a life sciences student at the University of Toronto.)