On Friday August, 28 the Hartford Faith Community and the
Hartford Public Schools joined together to pray for the children
of the city and for a successful 1998-99 school year. The prayer
sessions were held at city schools throughout Hartford.
"The purpose this gathering is to kick off the new partnership
between the faith community, Hartford Public Schools, and the
parents of this city. We call on all employees to excuse parents
and guardians for these half hour gatherings. We encourage everyone
here to lift your voice and heart in Prayer on the Playground,"
said Reverend Susie Hinton, former Principal of SAND Everywhere
and organizer of the event.
"This new partnership between the faith community, the Hartford
Public Schools, and the parents in this city will strengthen
the support our children need to survive today's challenges.
I welcome this effort by faith community and support their commitment
to see our city's children learn and grow," said Mayor Michael
Peters, who attended the event.
"I know a lot of the children who attend Betances Elementary
School. They are my parishioners at St. Peter's Church which
is just around the corner on Main Street. Most of the children
walk with their families to church. We are gathered here today
to celebrate a payer service in hope that all goes well for the
coming school year. With all the sadness going on in society
today, we all need to reach out to each other and to God. Every
school age child needs to acknowledge prayer and the importance
of good attendance at school each day," said Father Michael
Gallasso, Pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church.
