Mission Office contest inspires prayers, drawings from the heart

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matt. 18:20

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

Prayer runs deep in the faith lives of the Young Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and here is some inspiring proof.

For the past 12 years, the archdiocesan office of the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) has invited  Catholic school students in grades 2-7 to compose an original prayer uniting children of the local church with the prayers and needs of their peers around the world.

Contest participants also must submit an original piece of art that illustrates their prayer.

After receiving submissions, the following grade-division winners of the MCA’s 2023 “Prayer Card” challenge were announced Jan. 18:

Grades 6-7: Felix Zhang, seventh grade, St. Anthony School, Gretna.

Grades 4-5: Elle Gaudet, fifth grade, St. Angela Merici School, Metairie.

Grades 2-3: Ella Dietrick, third grade, Mary Queen of Peace School, Mandeville.

Honorable Mention: Elise Diket, third grade, St. Clement of Rome School, Metairie.

(See their winning prayers and illustrations below)

Winners of the annual contest have the thrill of seeing their prayers reprinted as prayer cards used throughout the year in the MCA’s office communications. Postcard- size reproductions are presented to each winner and his or her principal, and the prayer cards are also set aside for children attending the upcoming Lenten assemblies coordinated by the Mission Office for children in grades 1-7.

The host schools for the 2023 Lenten assemblies, which provide geographical diversity to encourage as many elementary schools as possible to participate, will be as follows:

March 13: St. Peter School, 188 W. 7th St., Reserve.

‡March 14: St. Christopher School, 3900 Derbigny St., Metairie.

March 15: Mary Queen of Peace School, 1515 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville.

March 16: Immaculate Conception, 601 Avenue C, Marrero.

The Lenten gatherings, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon on each of the dates above, include prayer time, age-appropriate mission presentations and table games from around the world so the young participants can learn how other children play.

Among the fun and educational activities will be an explanation of the Mission Rosary of color-coded beads representing prayers for children living in each continent.

For more information on the upcoming Lenten assemblies, how to bring a mission talk to your school or parish group, or how to access classroom resources on children’s baptismal calling to be missionaries, contact Lisa Miller, MCA coordinator, at (504) 527-5773.

In other news from the Mission Office, Father Wayne Paysse, pastor of St. Dominic Church in New Orleans, was appointed director of the Pontifical Mission Societies following the death of Father James Jeanfreau.

 

The Lord’s love can guide us through the toughest, hardest times. The Lord’s love is eternal. He’ll love and be there for us until the very end. The Lord’s love is for everyone. He loves us equally, no matter your race, gender, even religion. The Lord is always there, loving us. We need to love him back, for how great his love is. – Felix Zhang, St. Anthony, Gretna

 























Dear God, Please guide all of the missionaries in our world. Keep them safe and well protected. May the people that they help find their ways of Christian service in life. – Elle Gaudet, St. Angela Merici















God, our loving Father, we ask that you bless and give our hearts to those in most need. We pray for and send love to all of your children around the world. Open our hearts, minds and eyes to spread love and kindness, near and far. – Ella Dietrick, Mary Queen of Peace

Please protect the children all over the world. Keep them safe from harm. Please help spread kindness and compassion in our world. – Elise Diket, St. Clement of Rome















Dear God, Please guide all of the missionaries in our world. Keep them safe and well protected. May the people that they help find their ways of Christian service in life. – Elle Gaudet, St. Angela Merici