May 8, 2008

 

Dear Parents and Friends,

 

Please share our joy about one of our second graders.  Haley Paccione placed third in the second-grade division in the Try Prayer! It Works! 2008 Contest sponsored by the Holy Cross Family Ministries.

 

Rockaway second-grader's drawing takes prize

Special to Denville/Rockaway This Week

For her award-winning entry to the 2008 U.S. "Try Prayer! It Works!" contest, Haley Eve Paccione submitted a colorful drawing depicting her admiration of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

Family Rosary has selected Haley Eve Paccione of St. Cecilia's School in Rockaway as the third-place winner in the grade two division of the 2008 U.S. "Try Prayer! It Works!" contest, a national competition that encourages students to express their faith through art, poetry and prose. Haley was selected from more than 3,000 entries and more than 50,000 participants in the 13th annual contest.

Each year, children and teens from Catholic schools, parishes and other Catholic organizations utilize their creative skills to illustrate a different faith-based theme.

This year, the theme was "Following in the Footsteps of the Saints" and students from kindergarten through 12th grade creatively depicted in various art forms how they honor these holy people by learning from the examples of their experiences.

For her award-winning entry, Haley submitted a colorful drawing depicting her admiration of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

Haley lives in Rockaway. The 8-year-old is in the second grade at St. Cecilia School, which is located in the Diocese of Paterson. Haley enjoys bowling, art and being a Brownie. Her favorite subjects in school include religion and math.

"The contest enables children of all ages to express creatively the importance of faith in their daily lives," said the Rev. John Phalen, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries. "Following in the footsteps of Mary and the other saints, who follow those of Jesus, is a profound occasion for children to examine their spirituality. This contest provides students with a means to show how the lessons of the lives of the saints are still important to us today. All of the entries demonstrate how prayer, thought and creativity are an inspiration to young and old."

Congratulations from all of us at St. Cecilia School, Haley.  God bless you!

Sister Marie Elise

Principal