Children in brightly colored dresses and sharp jackets and shirts attended the 11 a.m. Mass with their parents and other relatives and friends. Father Kevin Kennedy, pastor of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, presided and distributed the awards at the ceremony following.
“I congratulate …the students who have written on this theme of respect life in light of respect for religion. Religious freedom—it is a very important topic,” Father Kennedy said. “And our winners of this essay contest have thought about and written well about and now are being awarded for these reflections and that writing.”
Father Kennedy cited Pope St. John Paul II, one of the greatest advocates for religious freedom and respect for life the Church, and perhaps the world, has seen. “Freedom of religion is the foundation and the cornerstone of peace, and it begins with respect for life,” Father Kennedy said in his homily.
For more on the essay prompts and for a list of winners, go here.
Two of the families (above and below) who attended Mass and awards ceremony. (Photo by Saul Perez/Archdiocese of San Francisco)
At the awards ceremony and reception after the Mass, Father Kennedy opened with a short prayer to the Holy Spirit and handed each child his or her certificate. The winners received a cash prize in the form of an Amazon gift card. The prize money was donated by United For Life of Northern California.
A total of 37 children in grades K-12 were awarded cash prizes worth a total of $1930, and a number of honorable mentions were also awarded.
The Respect Life Essay Contest is judged by volunteers and many volunteers also helped at the reception, said Maria Martinez-Mont, Respect Life coordinator and organizer of the event and the contest.
“It’s always a pleasure to get to meet the kids behind the essays being honored,” said Martinez-Mont. “Watching the kids reflect on these very important topics is really amazing, they do so well and it’s beautiful to see.”
Students who attended the ceremony who received honorable mention awards, with Father Kevin Kennedy and Maria Martinez-Mont. (Photo by Saul Perez/Archdiocese of San Francisco)
Receiving communion during the 11 a.m. Mass at the cathedral.
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