Newton Prayer Breakfast Welcomes Sen. Warren, Rep. Kennedy, Others

Hundreds of people braved the rain Wednesday morning to join Newton Mayor Setti Warren as he welcomed, among others, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and state Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Brookline) as speakers for the 39th Annual Honorable Theodore D. Mann Memorial Newton Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast at McElroy Commons at Boston College.

"This is really a continuation of the theme around service that was started a year ago when we renamed the breakfast after Mayor Mann," Setti Warren said. "It's how each of us has the chance to influence and touch countless numbers of lives now and in the future for generations to come. We can break down those barriers ... whether it's race, religion, ethnic background, neighborhood, city or walk of life and provide opportunity for all.

"That's the theme and what we're committed to here in Newton and have been for generations upon generations upon generations."

Kennedy's and Warren's comments continued the focus on the importance of a community working together to bring about positive changes in Newton and beyond.

A number of awards were given at the breakfast, including Newton Rotary Community Scholarships for three local students:

• Mikey Jiminez, a METCO student at Newton North
• Michael Safran, Newton North
• Shawheen Rezaei, Newton South

Myrtle Baptist Church's The LoveTones, a quartet, wrapped up the morning's events, bringing the audience to its feet and clapping along for a rendition of "This Little Light of Mine."