The diocesan Respect Life Ministry invites students in Catholic schools, parish religious education programs and youth ministry programs to participate in the annual Respect Life Poster, Essay and Video Contest.

The theme for this year’s contest is “Faith Opens our Eyes to Human Life in all its Grandeur and Beauty,” taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The theme stems from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Respect Life Program, which serves as the cornerstone of the bishops’ pro-life educational outreach on a variety of life issues. Information on this theme may be found at http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life program/. Prize winning entries will be displayed in the Loving Life news letter, and awards will be presented at the winners’ schools and parishes at dates to be announced.

Awards will be given for the top three posters, top three essays and top three videos in each age category – grades K-2; 3-5; or 6-8. The first prize in each grade division is $100.

Second and third prizes are $50 and $25 respectively.

All drawings must be freehand and pertain to this year’s respect life theme. Drawings may be no larger than standard oak tag poster stock (20”X30”) and no smaller than letter size paper (8-1/2” X 11”).

Essays should be no more than 500 words and preferably submitted in typewritten or Word format. Videos may be submitted on DVD and should be no longer than 10 minutes running time.

Entries are first submitted locally in each school or parish religious education program. Judging on the local level is done by the principal, religious education director, youth minister or their designees. Each school or parish may select only one winning essay, poster and video from each grade level.

Parishes and schools must submit their local winners to the Respect Life Ministry, Diocesan Department of Pastoral Care, 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, N.J. 08648 by Feb. 8. At the Respect Life Ministry, entries will be judged based on grade level, creativity, clarity of message and visual appeal of the winners selected from around the diocese.

Terry Ginther, executive director of Pastoral Planning and Mission, said that the Respect Life Poster, Essay and Video Contest has been offered for young people of the diocese since 2004 with the goal of encouraging the “ongoing formation of young Catholics on the sanctity of life.

“The contest provides an opportunity for students across our diocese to use their talents to reflect upon what they have learned about the beautiful gifts of life that comes from God,” Ginther said. “On average, more than 125 entries are received by the Diocesan Respect Life Committee, representing the best of each medium from 20 Catholic schools, parish religious education programs and youth groups. We hope more schools and parish programs will participate in 2013.”

Ginther said that the theme for this year’s contest, “Faith Opens Our Eyes to Human Life in All Its Grandeur and Beauty,” was chosen to highlight the Year of Faith.

“It is by faith in Christ, by opening ourselves up to his teachings and his grace that we can see with new eyes,” Ginther said.

“With the eyes of faith, we have the courage to reject the ‘culture of death’ that has arisen and boldly ‘choose life,’” Ginther added.

“The contest focuses Catholic young people on the message of life in the classroom and provides a conversation starter for parents at home. Finally, it gives the school, parish and diocese a way to recognize the important contribution that young Catholics can make with their dedication and enthusiasm,” she said.

For more information, contact Donna Goodwin, coordinator of the Respect Life Ministry, Department of Pastoral Care, at 609-403-7192 or e-mail: [email protected].