Thanksgiving Prayer Service unites school through faith
Before Thanksgiving break, all religion classes gathered to celebrate the unique faith stories within the SJ community.
Throughout the day on November 24, 2015, students and teachers reflected on the diverse faith lives lived out in the Saint John's community through stories, prayers, and songs offered by students in the 2015 Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service.
Muhammad Farrag ’19, Adam French ’16, Ben Scharf ’18, Malcolm Patel ’18, and Haris Waqar ’19 spoke about their own faith lives and the elements that bind people of all religions together, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, Hindu, or Buddhist. All student speakers and performers shared stories of faith and gratitude in the spirit of thanksgiving.
To open the prayer service, students presented collected food items that the Saint John's community donated to St. John's parish in Worcester.
Campus Minister Katie Mylroie reflected that "while each Thanksgiving Prayer Service has an interfaith component to it, perhaps this year more than any other it is especially appropriate. Our human history is full of heinous acts of violence and discrimination, of prejudice and war, and of hatred and alienation. When we look at what is going on in the world today – in Paris, Beirut, Iraq, Syria, Mali, and so many other places – now more than ever it is important to stand united as a human family. We pray across families, across religions, and across countries for peace in our world, and for an end to all suffering and violence. This morning, as Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Hindus, and so many others, we bring our thoughts and prayers to our entire human family, particularly those in most need right now."
You can watch the student-made video in which Saint John's students, teachers, and administrators answered the question "what are you thankful for?" Special thanks to students Joe Murphy, Nick Beaudoin, and Josh White, who put it together.Watch the 2015 SJ Thanksgiving video.
See more pictures from the Thanksgiving Prayer Service in our online photo albums.
