MEDIA ADVISORY

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMIT FOR PEACE

On Friday, February 3, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., more than 200 middle school students from throughout the Archdiocese will gather at St. Francis of Assisi (1938 Alfresco Place) for a Middle School Summit For Peace. Students from Catholic schools will be joined by students from local Jewish day schools to hear stories of wisdom and insight from local and international adult peacemakers. More than 200 students are expected to attend.

The purpose of this event is to help middle school students learn conflict resolution skills as they deal with the daily conflicts, including bullying and ostracism.

Speakers include Ernie Marx, a Holocaust survivor; Hagit Ra’anan, an Israeli peacemaker and international speaker who is at the center of a program that encourages Israeli and Palestinian students to bridge their differences with understanding and compassion; and Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P. These stories and the courage of the storytellers will serve as potent motivation for further discussion and action by students. Participants will be invited to a follow up forum that will take these messages and help student peacemakers apply them to situations at their schools.

Ms. Ra’anan will be participating in activities at St. Francis throughout this week (January 30 - February 3), which is Catholic Schools Week.

This event is being sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi, the archdiocesan offices of Lifelong Formation and Education and Ecumenical Affairs, and the Cathedral Heritage Foundation.