FIVE STUDENTS FROM

ST. JOSEPH-ST. THOMAS SCHOOL WIN AWARDS

IN TRY PRAYER! IT WORKS! CONTEST

Family Rosary recognizes winners

in the 2010 Try Prayer Competition

EASTON, Mass. Family Rosary has named five students at St. Joseph-St. Thomas School in Staten Island, N.Y., as winners in the 2010 U.S. Try Prayer! It Works! contest, a national competition that encourages students to express their faith through art, poetry and prose. They were selected from more than 4,000 entries and more than 40,000 participants in the 15th annual contest.

Each year, children and teens from Catholic schools, parishes and other Catholic organizations utilize their creative skills to illustrate a different faith-based theme. This year, the theme was The Family That Prays Together Stays Together and students from kindergarten through 12th grade creatively depicted in various art forms how their families are united by daily prayer and faith.

The winning students are Jacqueline Yordt, who won second place in the Grade 6 Division; Konnor J. Lillo, who tied for second in the Grade 5 Division; Erika M. Jerrahian, who tied for third in the Grade 2 Division; Isabella Coraci, who won second place in the Grade 1 Division; and James Adrian Moore, who was the third-place winner in the Grade 1 Division.

All five students live in Staten Island. Jacqueline submitted a beautiful poem about how her family prays together. Konnor also wrote a poem about his family prays together before meals and bedtime. Erika sent in colorful artwork showing how she prays with family and friends and at church. Isabella created a multi-media picture of her family praying together at bed time. James submitted a drawing showing his family praying in church.

The contest enables children of all ages to express creatively the importance of prayer and faith in their daily lives, said Father John Phalen, CSC, President of Holy Cross Family Ministries. Our founder, Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, created the expression that we used as the theme this year. He lived in a small village in Ireland and his family would gather together each evening to pray the Rosary. Father Peyton realized at a very early age just how important this prayer is in helping families to grow closer as they face the trials and tribulations of modern society.

In addition to the Try Prayer! It Works! contest in the United States, separate competitions are conducted in Mexico, East Africa, West Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Ireland, France, Chile, Haiti and the Philippines. Entries are judged on content, ability to capture and interpret the theme, artistic and technical proficiency, and adherence to rules.

In the United States, up to three winners are chosen per grade: first-place winners are awarded $100 U.S., while the sponsoring organization earns $200 U.S. and the Think Good Thoughts DVD. Runners-up in Grades 6-12 get the Assumptions and Finding Mary DVDs while Grades K-5 receive The Life of Christ DVD series from Holy Cross Family Ministries.

Family Rosary was founded in 1942 by the late Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. The Try Prayer! It Works! contest derives its name from an experience in his life. While a seminarian, Father Peyton was stricken with severe tuberculosis. At one point, a frustrated physician said, Try prayer! We have done all we can for you. Father Peyton prayed his Rosary to the Blessed Mother and he made a miraculous recovery.

This experience coupled with his spiritually rich family life as a youth in Ireland inspired Father Peyton to devote his life to Mary, Mother of God, and to the spiritual well-being of the family. His famous slogan, The Family That Prays Together Stays Together, still resonates today.

In the spirit of its founder, Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, Holy Cross Family Ministries serves Jesus Christ and His church by promoting and supporting the spiritual well-being of the family. Faithful to Mary, the Mother of God, the Family Rosary in the United States, a member ministry, encourages family prayer, especially the Rosary. For more information, call 800-299-7729 or visit www.hcfm.org.

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Below is the winning entry submitted by Isabella Coraci of Staten Island,
N.Y., in the Try Prayer! It Works! Contest, sponsored by Family Rosary.

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