In preparation for the 2016 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 18-25, applicants are asked to write a 500-word reflection on this year’s theme, drawn from 1 Peter 2:9, “Called to proclaim the mighty acts of God.” – THE CONTEST IS CLOSED – Click here to see the 2017 winners.
First place prize is a 32GB iPad Pro. Second place prize is a Kobo Aura. The top three essays will be edited and published in The Catholic Register.
“The primary purpose of the writing contest is to really bring the question of Christian unity down to the grassroots level,” said Fr. Damian MacPherson, director of ecumenical and interfaith affairs for the Archdiocese of Toronto.
“This is an attempt to introduce this age level to why we should be conscious of the fact that the Christian church remains divided and that we each have a particular responsibility to in some way work toward the restoration of that unity.”
Applicants must be 14 to 18 years old and enrolled in an Ontario secondary school or equivalent. They are asked to carefully reflect on 1 Peter 2:1-10, and submit a 500-word essay that answers a question related to the reading.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was founded in 1898 by Fr. Paul Wattson and Lurana Mary White. It was eventually accepted by the Vatican and consequently became a world-wide practice.
MacPherson said that in 15 years, the subject matter that young writers talk about in their essay entries continue to surprise and inspire him. The entries show that students are engaged and want to know more about the Church.
Entries can be submitted to The Catholic Register at 1155 Yonge St., Toronto, Ont., M4T 1W2. Submissions will be accepted until Jan. 8, 2016.