File under local child makes good!

Attention Editor/Reporter:

Emily Krok of Westfield was selected as a winner in the annual "Try
Prayer!" Contest. The national competition is sponsored by Family
Rosary, which encourages family prayer, especially the Rosary. A
press release about the winner is attached. Please include in any
upcoming coverage of local or religious news. An electronic file of
the winning entry is available.

EMILY KROK
OF ST. MARIA GORETTI SCHOOL WINS AWARD
IN "TRY PRAYER! IT WORKS!" CONTEST

Family Rosary presents Kindergarten Award
in the 2006 "Try Prayer" Competition

EASTON, MA. - Family Rosary has selected Emily Krok of St. Maria
Goretti School in Westfield, Ind., as the second-place winner in the
Kindergarten division of the 2006 U.S. "Try Prayer. It Works!"
contest, a national competition that encourages students to express
their faith through art, poetry and prose. Emily was selected from
more than 2,800 entries depicting the 11th annual contest's chosen
theme, How Receiving Jesus in Holy Communion Changes Us.

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
How Receiving Jesus in Holy Communion Changes Us, and students from
kindergarten through 12th grade creatively depicted how they use
values and virtues taught by Jesus and Mary in their everyday lives
through various artistic forms.

For her award-winning entry, Emily submitted a colorful drawing
depicting the change that takes place within her when receiving the
sacrament of Holy Communion.

Emily lives in Westfield. The 6-year-old is in Kindergarten at St.
Maria Goretti School, which is located in the Diocese of Lafayette.

"The contest enables children of all ages to express creatively the
importance of this Holy Sacrament in their daily lives," said Father
John Phalen, CSC, President of Holy Cross Family Ministries.
"Receiving Jesus in Communion can change us in profound ways and is
a marvelous occasion for children to examine their faith. They can look at the miracles around them and show how they have an impact
upon each of us. All of the entries reflect such virtues and are an
inspiration to young and old."

In addition to the "Try Prayer! It Works!" contest in the United
States, separate competitions are conducted in Mexico, East Africa,
West Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, Peru, Ireland, Chile, Haiti and the
Philippines. Entries are judged on content, ability to capture and
interpret the theme, artistic and technical proficiency, and
adherence to rules.

In the United States, up to three winners are chosen per grade:
first-place winners are awarded $100 U.S., while the sponsoring
organization earns $200 U.S. Runners-up win a set of Family Theater
Productions movies.

Family Rosary was founded in 1942 by the late "Rosary Priest,"
Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. The "Try Prayer! It
Works!" contest derives its name from an experience in the life of
Father Peyton. While a seminarian, Father Peyton was stricken with
severe tuberculosis. At one point, a frustrated physician said, "Try
prayer! We have done all we can for you." Father Peyton prayed his
Rosary to the Blessed Mother, and he made a miraculous recovery.

The experience - coupled with his spiritually rich family life as a
youth in Ireland, where his family prayed the Rosary each night -
inspired Father Peyton to devote his life to Mary, Mother of God,
and to the spiritual well-being of the family. His famous slogan,
"The family that prays together stays together," still resonates
today.

In the spirit of its founder, Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton,
CSC, Holy Cross Family Ministries serves Jesus Christ and His church
by promoting and supporting the spiritual well-being of the family.
Faithful to Mary, the Mother of God, the Family Rosary in the
U.S.A., a member ministry, encourages family prayer, especially the
Rosary. For more information, call 800-299-PRAY (7729) or visit
www.hcfm.org.

Posted by dhoppe at April 17, 2006 01:45 PM