Our first essay contest was quite exciting. We received an impressive number of entries, making it quite challenging to narrow them down to just one. It was quite enjoyable to read so many inspiring essays from quite obviously faithful Catholics. We received entries from veteran writers, bloggers, industry professionals, college students, and even an elementary student. However, after careful evaluation and critique, we selected the winning essay. *
Topic #2 – “Adversity and Our Faith”
The winning essay is by Chris Hazell from California, U.S.A.
Chris Hazell is a Catholic writer and founder of The Call Collective, a blog exploring the intersection between faith, culture and creativity and offering reflections and commentary on God’s presence and call in the culture. He also writes regularly for Word on Fire Ministries. He holds bachelors’ degrees in English and Economics from UCLA and currently works as a Lead Content Strategist for Point Loma Nazarene University. With a passion for sports, good food and drink, deep conversations with friends, funny stories, writing and seeking to know and love Christ, he attributes all of the blessings in his life—health, family and friends—to nothing but God’s overabundant grace.
Honorable Mention goes to Patrick Malone of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Patrick Malone has a BA (Honours) in English from Campion College at the University of Regina, where he was involved with various Catholic student groups, contributed to the student newspaper The Carillon, and was able to study the works of Gerard Manley Hopkins, T.S. Eliot, and Evelyn Waugh, who have become only a few of his favourite writers.
Catholic Stand will publish both of these essays on November 25th.
Topic #1 – “Immigration and Catholic Social Teaching” – NO WINNER.
We are disappointed that none of our entries on this topic approached the subject with substantive Church teaching on social justice in caring for refugees/immigrants. Although many made good points, they failed to keep the focus on “immigration and Catholic social teaching” and less on politics and opinion editorial.
Thank you again to everyone who took the time and effort to participate. Keep writing. We encourage all of you to continue to use your talent and faith to serve Christ, the Church and humanity.
We hope to offer this opportunity again next year with one exception. Based upon the level of entries we received, we will offer a junior level.
The Editorial Staff
Catholic Stand
(*) Due to the volume of entries, we are unable to offer a written critique for each entry assessing our decisions.
