That being said, this year’s 500-word essay asks students to answer the question: What is God calling us to do in this Scripture verse?

Fr. Damian MacPherson, one of the judges in the annual contest, said the contest helps to both raise awareness for the Week of Prayer while exposing youth to Scriptures.

“The essay contest is an effort to try to get the young adults to become more conscious of the division in the Christian Church and to be able to reflect on it and write about it,” said MacPherson, director for ecumenical affairs for the archdiocese of Toronto. “And consequently, to become more conscious of the need to work for Christian unity.”

Sarah Robinson of Port Dover, Ont., first-prize winner of last year’s contest, said she recommends students enter the contest. Robinson said the experience helped her develop skills and gain confidence.

“I spent a lot of time editing my piece, more than I would for school, and it really taught me how important it is to edit your work. To think through what you’re saying and how people will interpret it.”

To enter, contestants must be between 14 and 18 years old and enrolled in a secondary school in Ontario. Deadline for entries is Jan. 12, 2011.

Other prizes include a 16 GB iPod nano, a one-year subscription to The Catholic Register and the top three winners will have their work published in the newspaper.

Essays can be submitted to editor@catholicregister.org.