© 2024 NPR Illinois
The Capital's Community & News Service
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Heartland Ep. 9: Muslim Interfaith Leader + Chiara Center For Reflection

We visit a historic Springfield location, the St. Francis of Assisi Church. It was built after nuns decided to create a sanitarium to treat tuberculosis patients out in the country side -  it now includes a healing center of a different sort, The Chiara Center. We learn what that is, plus we talk with Maryam Mostoufi, the new president of the local interfaith organization. She was also the first  female Muslim to be inducted into the Association of Professional Chaplains.

This episode contains an interview with community archivist for the St. Francis of Assisi Diocese in Springfield, Brian Blasco. Dan Frachey, program director for the Chiara Center also joins us for conversation. Music from this episode comes from Hands & Feet: check out more tunes, here.

Rachel Otwell of the Illinois Times is a former NPR Illinois reporter.