AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A local health care ministry is hoping to spread peace around the world.

St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam held a dedication ceremony on Wednesday of their second peace pole.

The poles are planted all over the world in the spirit of peace, each one proclaiming the prayer “May peace prevail on earth”, often in several languages.

Sister Joan Mary Hartigan spear-headed the project at St. Mary’s as a way to show their health facilities as symbols of peace and compassion for all.

“If one person walks by and is feeling a little bit distressed, they can see this message,” Sister Hartigan said. “It can just be a reminder that peace begins with them.”

St. Mary’s other peace pole is located outside its Wilkinson Nursing Home campus also in Amsterdam. Hartigan hopes to one day have peace poles throughout the entire healthcare ministry.