John D. Kelley 2012 Vocations Essay Contest

 Sponsored by The Serra Club of Indianapolis

Theme:  Seeking first the Kingdom of God

Essay Question:  "How do priests, religious brothers and sisters and permanent deacons, in their life and ministry, help us to seek God above all things?"

The Criterion published on January 6, 2012 will included a Vocations Supplement that will contain articles related to the theme of this year's Essay Contest.  Students should read and discuss the Supplement with parents, teachers, catechists and pastor/PLC before writing their essay.

The contest is open to all Catholic students in Grades 7 through 12 who live in or attend school within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.  Catechists and religious teachers at each parish or school may sponsor the two (2) essays they consider best for each class within grades 7 - 12.  If there is more than one class per grade level, two (2) essays per class may be sponsored.  Home school students may submit essays in conjunction with their parish.

Essays should be between 300 and 500 words in length and may be typed on a computer or hand written.  If typed, essays must be in a standard black typeface and double spaced.  Hand written essays should use black ink (not pencil) and be single-spaced on lined paper.

All submitted essays will be read and judged by a Serra committee.  A winning essay will be selected for each grade level based upon: 1) How well it answers the question; 2) Originality and content; 3) Grammar, readability and neatness.

A plaque and cash prize will be awarded to one student at each grade level for the essay judged to be the best as determined by the judges.  Winning essayists will be invited to read their essays at a special Serra recognition luncheon on Monday, April 2, 2012 to be held at the Msgr. James M. Downey Knights of Columbus in Indianapolis. Winning essays will also be published in The Criterion.

Essays must be submitted no later the February 17, 2012.  Please talk with a representative of your parish or school for more details and to acquire a copy of the Essay Submission Form.

Note:  John D. Kelley was a longtime member of the Serra Club of Indianapolis and was in charge of the Serra Vocations Essay Contest for many years.  He was very committed to the contest and to any other means he could find to encourage more priestly and religious vocations.  The Serra Club of Indianapolis has dedicated the annual John D. Kelley Vocations Essay Contest in his memory.