Today we celebrate international Peace Day at Mater Christi; a day dedicated to honoring and celebrating peace in our world. Our middle school students have been working on a variety of projects that are intended to raise awareness about how individuals and communities can work together to create a more peaceful world.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously voted to designate September 21 as a day of non-violence and cease-fire.

Last year students requested the city of Burlington’s Mayor Miro Weinberger to declare this day “Peace Day” and their request was accepted. Today Mayor Weinberger issued a proclamation recognizing the efforts of Mater Christi students to promote peace, as he officially declared today Peace Day in our city. In the mayor’s proclamation, he also recognized the outstanding commitment and work of the Sisters of Mercy, who sponsor our school, and who have identified as one of their critical concerns; nonviolence. Through prayer, education, and personal communal practices of nonviolence, the Sisters of Mercy continually set an example for our students, our local community, and our larger world by their efforts to create a more just and peaceful world.

Our students also reached out to UVM men’s soccer team and they will be part of the ONE DAY ONE GOAL who uses the power of football to bring people together in peace and to spread awareness of Peace Day. Today UVM Men’s Soccer is dedicating their match against UMASS at 7pm at Vitrue Field to this cause. Mater Christi Students will have a table sharing information.Let’s embrace peace everyday in our lives but especially today.

Thank you to Mater Christi students in grades 6-8 for making Peace Day so Meaningful for our school community!