On Monday, November 24th, the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions hosted its 43rd Annual Brotherhood Service, “A Community Praying Together Before Thanksgiving,” at Canarsie Ascend, Holy Family School Auditorium, located at 9719 Flatlands Avenue.
The event was emceed by Canarsie Lion, Joan Alexander-Bakiridden, who recited the Lions Prayer and Lions Anthem. Lion Dr. Earl Satahoo led the audience with the Pledge of Allegiance and Lion Paul Curiale, executive director of Millennium Development, the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Clergy, including Rabbi Joshua E. Minkin from Temple Emanu-El of Canarsie, the Very Reverend, Father Edward R. P. Kane of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church and Reverend Gesner Sagesse of Community Christian Church of New York, blessed the event with invocations, prayers and scripture readings. Minkin also requested a moment of silence in honor of departed loved ones.
The three clerics also broke bread together, in a symbolic gesture of brotherhood and community – according to the Jewish faith as well as in remembrance of the Body of Christ, as observed by Christians. “Thank you, God, for the Bread that represents Your Body, which has been crucified on the cross for us to have life today,” Sagesse said. Minkin, who prayed in both Hebrew and English, added, “We say bless God for bringing forth bread from the earth.”
Before they partook, Kane included a prayer of Thanksgiving. “Oh Lord, we give You thanks for the freedom to gather here,” he stated. “We give thanks for the fact that we have life. We thank You for our Nation. Thank You for leadership. Thank You for all our community members and our Lions. Thank You for members of all faiths who dedicate themselves for peace, goodness and happiness of all people.”
In her welcoming remarks, Lion, Dr. Jean Joseph, president of the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club, acknowledged, “Brotherhood is more than a word — it is a way of life.” She added, “It is the recognition that we are stronger together than we could ever be apart. A willingness to extend a hand when someone stumbles, to share a meal when someone is hungry and to speak hope when someone feels forgotten. Brotherhood is the heartbeat of service, and service is the heartbeat of the Lions.”
The get-together included singing and dance performances by students from P.S. 276 Louis Marshall School and Penn-Wortman Older Adults Choir. There was also African drumming and poetry renditions by Lion, State Senator Roxanne Persaud, who read “Count Your Blessings,” Lion, Hon. Inga O’Neal, “When Giving is all We Have” and Leo Sabella Taylor, “Give Thanks.”
Other Canarsie Lions, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Assemblywomen Jaime Williams and Monique Chandler-Waterman, Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse and District Leader Frank Seddio, were also in attendance. Each made brief remarks as did Community Board 18 District Manager Sue Ann Partnow.
Lion dignitaries in attendance were Past District Governors (PDGS) Oswald (Ozzie) Torres, Melissa Torres, Jacklyn Phillips and Hon. Judge Jacqueline Williams.
Closing prayers were offered by Reverend Cecil Moonsam, president of the 69th Precinct Clergy Council. The pastor invoked God’s continued Divine presence in the community as he prayed for unity and safety “on every corner, every block, every street and every home.” He stated, “We declare and pray at this Thanksgiving season that the shootings would stop, and we would come together as one community, to stand together with each other, regardless of the color of our skin or the country we’re from.”
In keeping with the Lions’ commitment to addressing food insecurity in their communities, refreshments were served at the end of the Brotherhood Service. Hampers containing juice, non-perishable food items and a fresh turkey or chicken were also distributed. Hunger is one of five areas of service on which Lions are focused.
