Seder meal links faiths

Our Lady of Grace Church in Ballston Lake hosted a Seder service on April 4, preceded by a workshop about the ritual's symbolism, foods and purposes.

A Seder service is a symbolic meal at which Jews celebrate the Exodus of their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. It is offered during Passover.

Christians believe the Last Supper may have been a type of Seder service. The modern version developed two centuries following Jesus' death. It has become popular for Catholics to host Seder services to connect with the roots of their own faith.

"We like to expose our children to different faiths," said Duane Rabideau, father of Lauren, 9, and John, 7. "We knew something about it, but this puts it all together. What amazed me is this celebration is what Jesus did at the Last Supper. I never knew that."

Ruth Moon, pastoral associate for youth ministry, explained that "we need to know the Jewish roots of Christianity. Jesus was a Jew. This gives parishioners a better understanding of why we do what we do. When we get together [on Holy Thursday], we'll have an appreciation of where we came from."

Debbie Hunziger noted, "It's really important that our kids learn about the different religions. It's important that we learn about these symbols. It's funny how different you think our worlds are, but they aren't."

Her son Matt, 12, noted: "You always think that the Last Supper was just an ordinary meal, but it wasn't." His sister Erin, 9, added: "I thought before that the Last Supper was just the wine and the bread."

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