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Local Pastors and Church Leaders honored at Appreciation Service at Mother Seton School during Catholic Schools Week

Barbara S. Horneff
Director of Institutional Advancement
Mother Seton School

(2/8) Thirty pastors and church leaders from local parishes, churches, chapels, and education ministries were honored at an appreciation service held at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg, MD on Thursday, February 1st. The students and staff recognized men and women from many faith-based denominations for their loving service, witness, and presence in their lives.

The service opened with the hymn, All Are Welcome, sung by students, staff and guests.

"Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live.
A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace.
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions
All are welcome, all are welcome, and all are welcome in this place."

Pastor Jon Greenstone, Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church, offered the opening prayer. Students took turns reading the selected gospel passages from Luke 2: 22, 25-34, 36-38. In his remarks, Father Kevin Farmer, Holy Family Catholic Community, encouraged the children to grow strong in their love of God and commitment to spreading God's love and goodness throughout the world.

Principal, Sr. JoAnne Goecke, DC presented a certificate of appreciation to pastors and church leaders from: Mt. St. Mary's Seminary and University, Thurmont United Methodist Church, Weller United Methodist Church, St. Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor, Holy Family Catholic Community, Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church, Uniontown Bible Church, Harriet Chapel, Thurmont United Methodist Church, Tom's Creek Methodist Church, St. Anthony Shrine Parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Joseph Catholic Church-Taneytown, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Katharine Drexel Church, St. Peter the Apostle Church, Trinity Methodist Church, Thurmont Church of the Brethren, and Central Maryland Catholic Education Ministries.

After the closing hymn, All You Works of God, student guides escorted pastors and church leaders to visit classrooms and tour the school. The tours ended in the music room where a buffet luncheon, provided by staff, was available.

The entire community at Mother Seton School continues to work together to spread the Good News of God's love and goodness. At this special event during Catholic Schools Week, the ecumenical spirit was ever-present.