Philippine - Australia - Saipan Province

Try Prayer! It works! 2011 contest was sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries. It is a National Contest on Artwork, Poetry and Prose. The conest is open to all Grade IV up to 4^th year High School students. This year’s theme “Fear not, I am with you!” Reflecting on the 2^nd Joyful Mystery, the Visitation. The Visitation teaches us to love and serve others in faith and charity.

Mary Sophia C. Bauzon, a grade VI pupil of Jesus Good Shepherd Development Center, Lingayen, Pangasinan artwork was chosen the best in the Grade VI level among the hundreds of entries coming from different participating schools. Mary Sophia happens to be the grand niece of Sr. Arsenia G. Estrada.

During the awarding ceremony held at the Pope Pius XII Center  at United Nations Avenue, Manila, Fr Passim Devadoss, CSC the chair of the board of judges shared that all entries were spectacularly wonderful but they chose as best work the one that speaks loud and clear the message “Fear not, I am with you!”. The ceremony was simple and filled with beautiful insights from the speakers most of whom were of the Holy Cross Fathers. Mary Sophia received a medal, a certificate, cash of Php 5,000.00 and a plaque of appreciation for the school.

Sophia recieving the awards from Fr. Anol Terence CSC

Sophia, Fr. John Phalen, CSC president, Holy Cross Family Ministries and Sr. Marivic

The Mystery of the Visitation helps us understand too the importance of friendship. Visiting others is an opportunity to share God’s love and to offer ourselves in charity and service to our neighbors as we see the need! When we do so, we know we can count on Jesus’ presence “Fear not, I am with you”, He assures us.

Indeed, artwork can express the depth of faith through the mixture of lines, shapes and colors.

Sophia with the other winners

Fr. Anol, Mary Sophia, Sr. Arsenia, Sr. Marivic and the emcee

Sr. Marivic Ching sjbp