'Christ in Christmas' billboard campaign, student contests set

The Christ in Christmas Committee of New Orleans, which places billboards across the Archdiocese of New Orleans as a reminder to the public to “Keep Christ in Christmas,” is seeking group and individual donations to broaden its message.

The cost of sponsoring a billboard is $430. Churches, schools, organizations, businesses and individuals may sponsor an entire billboard or send tax-deductible donations of any amount to help defray the costs of the program. Deadline for billboard sponsorships is Oct. 20.

Last year, the Christ in Christmas Committee, founded in 1952, sponsored more than 60 billboards across the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

For more information on billboards, yard signs and garden flags, go to keepchristinchristmasnola.org or contact Stephen F. Hart, chairman of the Christ in Christmas Committee, at 123 Iroquois St., Abita Springs, LA 70420; (504) 615-1303.

In conjunction with the “Keep Christ in Christmas” program, the Clarion Herald, the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation and the Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs are sponsoring an essay, poetry and poster contest for students who attend Catholic elementary and high schools and students who participate in Parish Schools of Religion (PSR).

Catholic school principals should submit winning entries only to the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation, 7887 Walmsley Ave., New Orleans, by Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. For more information, contact Tricia O’Connor at (504) 913-5365 or [email protected].

PSR entries should be mailed to Stephen F. Hart, 123 Iroquois St., Abita Springs, LA 70420, by Nov. 15. For more information, contact Lisa Thriffiley at [email protected] or (504) 296-3533.

Contest rules are available at keepchristinchristmasnola.org/contests. Winning entries will run in the Dec. 24 issue of the Clarion Herald.