Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed last June that the coming year would be the Year for Priests. He is “reaching out to urge spiritual renewal and to amplify the call for vocations”. Just as Father asked us last week to pray for the Seminarians, we need to try and pray for our Priests all around the world.

    While I have been at Saint Paul School, I have seen how important it is to be part of our Church community.   The thought that we could one day find our community without a Parish Priest due to the shortage is hard for me to imagine, but I know it is possible.  On most Sundays, I find myself Altar Serving because the shortage of those willing to be an active participant in the church has already started at my age. I believe that we must try to find a way to get other children like me to help our Church community.

    My family has always been involved in our church and school community. My Dad is a member of the Knights of Columbus, my Mom has been a member of Women's Guild and has been on the St. Paul Home & School Board, and they have both volunteered at the Bishop’s Gala. In addition to Altar Serving, I have cleaned the church with my Girl Scout Troop, worked as a volunteer at Vacation Bible School, participated in the St. Paul Youth Work Camp that included community work as well as laying sod and pavers to create a path from the school to the Rectory, and updated the prayer stickers on the missalettes.

    To me the church and my faith is an important part of my life. I will be attending Ursuline in the fall, and I am excited that their mission statement is "Serviam" because helping others is very important to me. Outside of school and church, I have volunteered at Special Olympics, helped with a coat drive for White Rose, worked the Trains at NorthPark, volunteered at Medical City, the Richardson Library, Meals on Wheels, and the Animal Shelter. I participate in all of these things through an organization I am in called National Charity League. Through doing all of these things, I feel like I am helping those in need.

    I would like to apply for the scholarship that the Knights of Columbus is offering to those attending a Catholic High School.  I look forward to what high school will bring. I hope I am able to continue growing in my faith and helping others.

Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.