Detroit— The public is invited to join in several of the local events being held Oct. 27-29 to mark the 25th anniversary of the historic gathering of leaders of all faiths to pray for peace that Pope John Paul II hosted at Assisi in 1986.

The Song and Spirit Institute for Peace, of Berkley, is involved with several partners in faith throughout metro Detroit in celebrating the anniversary.

Franciscan Bro. Al Mascia and his friend, Maggid Steve Klaper, formed Song and Spirit Institute to foster better understanding and appreciation of diverse faith traditions. They also perform together as the Song and Spirit duo.

Bro. Mascia sings and plays the guitar, while Klaper is a maggid — a Jewish troubadour who weaves spiritual melodies together with sacred tales.

The observances will begin with an Interfaith Gathering for Peace luncheon for area religious leaders at St. Fabian Parish in Farmington Hills. Hosted by Fr. Jeffrey Day, ecumenical and interfaith advisor for the Archdiocese of Detroit, the luncheon will feature music by the Song and Spirit duo.

That same day, in Assisi, Pope Benedict XVI will also be presiding over an interfaith gathering.

On Friday, Oct. 28, the entire inter-religious community is invited to a Renewal-style Reform Jewish Sabbath service at Congregation Shir Tikvah, 3900 Northfield ParkwayinTroy. Cantor Ellen Dreskin will join Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg and Klaper in a service of song, spirit and community.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, Bro. Mascia and Klaper will host a Day of Inter-Connection – including study sessions, storytelling, classes and discussions with local Jewish, Muslim and Franciscan teachers. The sessions, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open to the public, will include Cantor Dreskin, Imam Achmat Salie, Franciscan Fr. Jack Clark Robinson and storytellerTom Sparough., and be held at the Song and Spirit Institute, 2599 Harvard Road, Berkley.

That Saturday evening, at 7 p.m., the public is also invited to An Evening of Song and Spirit, featuring a musical and story-telling performance by Bro. Mascia and Klaper, plus Sparough, at St. Hugo of the Hills Church, 2215 Opdyke Road, BloomfieldHills.

“It’s our hope that these activities will build bridges of faith and understanding withn our diverse communities.,” says Bro. Mascia.

“This is how we move forward in the spirit and in the footprints of St. Francis,” he continues, explaining that the minister general of the Franciscan order, Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, urged all Franciscans last year to work for peace in their communities.

“We’re joining with the Archdiocese of Detroit to create a peace-filled dialogue, a cultural and spiritual exchange with our brothers and sisters from a variety of faith communities.”

Klaper says, “It’s not enough to keep asking for peace from above. It’s incumbent upon us to bring shalom/salaam to the world. On its 25 th anniversary, we need to embrace the Spirit of Assisi as an example, as a guiding force to heal this broken world, to complete that which cries for completion.