Clergy Gather, Offer Prayers for the New Year, Rose Parade

Tournament representatives and Pasadena Police Chief John Perez joined about 60 members of the Clergy Community Coalition on the East Lawn of the Tournament House on Friday afternoon in a unified prayer of hope, joy and peace for the Rose Parade and the coming year.

“Despite the great trials and tribulations, we endure, and the promise of a New Year remains,” said Tournament of Roses President Dr. Bob Miller, who welcomed the faith leaders to the Tournament House. 

“In the spirit of that conviction, the Tournament of Roses is pleased to welcome the Clergy Community Coalition to the Tournament House for this powerful moment of unity,” he said, noting that the gathering is the first of its kind in the history of the Tournament.

Joining in the welcome, Craig Washington, who is slated to be President of the 2029 Rose Parade, said, “The theme for the 2022 Rose Parade is ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve.’Those three words will serve as a clarion call to continue to stay focused, work hard, and keep faith that the promise of a new year remains.”

“Over the past 21 months, the world has encountered an assault on hope, joy, and peace,” said Clergy Community Coalition Executive Director Pastor Mayra Macedo-Nolan.

“A worldwide pandemic has redefined normal life; racial, social, and political tensions have divided America and senseless acts of violence have unraveled our well-being. We wanted to come together and pray for a better 2022, starting with a successful Rose Parade.”

Following a series of prayers by various church and faith-based leaders at Tournament House, organizers marched north on Orange Grove to Colorado Blvd and blessed the grounds where the parade will kick-off on New Year’s Day. Facing the four directions—north and south, east and west,  finally facing the late afternoon sunset, four separate leaders blessed the New Year’s Day event. 

The event was also one of the last public appearances of Pasadena Police Chief John Perez, who is retiring and leaving his position this coming week.

“Today’s gathering was very important to our community, and it exemplifies what we can accomplish when we work together,” Perez said. “It was such a special moment and a memory that I will cherish forever.”

“It’s bittersweet to leave,” Perez added. “It’s an exciting time, and I’ll miss this parade. The world will be looking at Pasadena once again come Saturday.”