St. Peter's, Stella Niagara, Sacred Heart students to pay tribute to community

The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of Niagara University, will be among those recognized at a prayer service hosted by Lewiston's three Catholic schools - St. Peter R.C. School, Stella Niagara Education Park, and Sacred Heart Villa School - on Monday, Nov. 19, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter R.C. Church in Lewiston.

Faculty and students from all three schools will participate in the service to thank those who serve and protect the Lewiston community, including Lewiston Police Department, the DARE officers, the Lewiston volunteer fire company members and EMT personnel, the HERO Program sponsored by Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center, and Niagara University. This event will mark the first time that these schools have joined together as part of a larger community celebration.

"Our Thanksgiving prayer service is a coming together of a community of students, teachers, parents, and families from these three faith-filled schools to say 'Thank you' to all of those people who take good care of us each day in our community. How fitting that we all gather in the house of the Lord," said Maureen Ingham, principal of St. Peter R.C. School. "As we thank those who help us to be safe, to make good decisions, and to be healthy, we will be meeting new people and asking God to extend his welcoming arm over all of our new friendships. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the holiday season."

Ingham said that this is the first in a series of joint events the schools will be participating in during the school year in an effort to foster a strong Catholic school fellowship in the Lewiston community at large.

A small reception will take place following the prayer service, at which time all of the students and staff from the three schools will participate in various educational and sharing activities, including creating pen pal relationships amongst students in the same grades at the different schools.

For more information, call 716-754-4470 or visit online atwww.StPeterRC.org.