Serra Club announces 2008 Vocations Essay Contest theme

By Sean Gallagher

The Serra Club of Indianapolis has announced the theme for its 2008 Vocations Essay Contest.

It is inspired by the story of Jesus calling the fishermen Simon, Andrew, James and John to cast their nets in a different way and become fishers of men by leaving their boats behind and following him (Mt 4:18-22).

Students throughout the archdiocese in grades 7 through 12 enrolled in religious education programs or interparochial and private schools—as well as those who are homeschooled—will be asked to reflect upon this question:

“How do deacons, priests and religious brothers and sisters respond to God’s call to cast their nets in leading others to Christ?”

Contest rules and procedures will be sent to all parishes and schools in the next few weeks. The deadline for entries is Feb. 15, 2008.

Teachers and catechists for each grade may choose one or two essays from each grade to be submitted to the contest. A committee will read and judge the entries.

One winner from each grade will be chosen and receive a cash prize, be invited to read his or her essay at a recognition luncheon and have the essay published in The Criterion.

The Serra Club of Indianapolis is a chapter of Serra International, a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting vocations to the diaconate, priesthood and religious life.

Immaculate Heart of Mary parishioner John Kelley of Indianapolis is a member of the club that helps oversee the contest.

Over the many years that he has been involved, Kelley has seen scores of strong essays written by students from across central and southern Indiana.

“We truly do have years where we agonize over having to pick a winner because we get several that are very, very good,” he said.

Benedictine Sister Nicolette Etienne is a member of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove and her community’s vocations director. She also teaches religion to middle school students at nearby Holy Name School.

Last year, Sister Nicolette brought a dozen members of her community to the school to be interviewed by her students as they prepared to write their essays.

Sister Nicolette thinks the Serra Club Vocations Essay Contest can be an effective way to get young people to start thinking about religious vocations.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Sister Nicolette said. “Any time you can get a person to think about what it is that God is calling them to do, it’s just another step in their discernment.

“They’re at that age where they’re thinking, ‘Well, what do I want to do with my life?’ When the contest comes along, hopefully teachers will have talked about the whole idea of what your vocation in life is.” †