Dear Families,

This semester Saint Joseph Parish School is collaborating with several other religious communities in
our town to organize a thanksgiving celebration this month! Youth grades 6-8 from Saint Joseph
Catholic Church, Arlington Congregational Church, and Arlington Synagogue will all be gathering
together in the gymnasium in Saint Joseph’s Parish School on Saturday, November 17 th from 12-3pm.
This event was inspired by the recent tragedy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Saint Joseph’s School
wishes to offer the opportunity for students to learn more about religious voice and diversity in our
own community in an effort to develop a sense of friendship between the various religious
communities in our town.
The youth from the Congregational parish and from the Synagogue’s school will all be attending the
thanksgiving meeting as well and will be actively participating in the service. Students of all grades
(6-8) are invited to volunteer to sing, read scriptural passages, prayer intentions, etc… during the
service. Additionally, in the week before the event, all students will be invited to contribute to the
welcome banner which will be put up in the gymnasium during the event. Students will each put a
paint handprint on the banner and sign their name.
The service will begin at 12 with praise and hymns, followed by readings from various religious
sources and accompanied by brief sermons from each pastor and rabbi. At 1 pm, lunch will be
provided, and students will be invited to mingle among the youth from the visiting religious
communities. After lunch, there will be games for the students, and then students will meet in
diversified groups to discuss the prayer service, answer discussion questions about religious liberty,
respect, and tolerance. Students will also be invited to share their personal experiences concerning
living out their faith in the world today.
In the week after the service, all students who participated will be invited to create a project on their
faith, and how it impacts their lives and the lives of those around them. Students may work in pairs or
may work individually. The projects leave room for creativity. Students can write poetry, a short
essay, create an illustration, video, or infographic. Students will have a week to create their projects.
Projects will be selected to be displayed in the hallway and entrance of the school.
I sincerely hope that all the students at Saint Joseph Parish School will be able to participate in this
event. In the United States of America, religious freedom is an intrinsic part of our lives. Students
will learn through this event different religious practices and get to know more people in our
community. All the teachers at Saint Joseph Parish School and Arlington Synagogue school and the
youth leaders at Arlington Congregational Church are excited to share their faith with their students
and provide and opportunity for their students to share as well.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. There will be an online sign-up form
on the school website as well as emailed to parents and available in the school office.

Sincerely,
Ms. Wolfe
CWolfe@stjosephsschool.com
(111)222-3333