By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press 

SHREWSBURY – Faith was incorporated into fun on Halloween at St. Mary Elementary School.  

Among songs students sang after their costume parade were two written by the school music teacher Sarah Beltran: "Lighthouse" and "Fear Not."

“Who do we look to when we are afraid?” Mrs. Beltran asked students in grades 1 and 2 before leading them in singing "Lighthouse."

“Jesus!” responded the youngsters. 

Before directing "Fear Not" for third-graders, she noted, “We are never alone.” This song reminds us “not to be afraid on Halloween.” 

Kindergartners sang their guardian angel prayer, Mrs. Beltran said.  

“It’s a day of joy … to further build community,” said Liam Wintroath, principal. “It’s a lot easier when you’ve got a bunch of smiling faces.” 

This St. Mary’s tradition, which families attend, goes back at least 20 years, Mrs. Beltran said, and “the students and teachers look forward to dressing up.”  

Mr. Wintroath said the staff usually has a coordinated costume idea; “this year they’re M&M’s.” And hidden in a shark costume was Father Jose F. Carvajal, associate pastor of St. Mary Parish.  

The day includes children parading around the property and performing a concert, then enjoying classroom parties for which families provide treats and teachers prepare activities, he said. 

Students don’t have to do schoolwork? 

“There’ll be a little work,” the principal admitted; the Halloween fun lasts about an hour and a half, giving kids time to be kids. 

“We are drawing it back to our faith,” he said. “We are grounded by something bigger than ourselves” – on fun days and every day.” 

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