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young people from across the diocese 'live the spirit of christmas'

Once again in this issue of The Messenger we salute the winners of our “Spirit of Christmas” contest.

Close to 1,000 entries came from across the diocese, and all of the young people wrote about how they lived the spirit of Christmas.

They spoke about the importance of family, of friends and of doing something for others.

Some talked of visiting nursing homes, collecting food, clothing or toys for those in need.
Often a giving tree in their parishes was mentioned.

Even the youngest children understood that Christmas is about more than exchanging gifts.
The Messenger applauds the parents and families of these young Catholics as they pass their faith from one generation to the next.

One message, not expressed but certainly seen, was the importance grandparents and extended families play in the lives of the young people.

Submissions by all the winners and honorable mentions can be found here. First, the winners and then honorable mentions.

Four categories were established: first through third grades, fourth through sixth grades, seventh through ninth and tenth through twelfth grades. Students could write no fewer than 25 words nor more than 100 words about the topic. Winners in each category were given a $25.00 gift card.

In the first category: Marie Prindiville, grade 1 from Immaculate Conception School in Columbia wrote: “I live the spirit of Christmas when I help people when they get hurt. I share my snacks at recess. But I don’t share the ones I bi ted off. I love my family and my cousins.”

Honorable mentions: Reagan Herrmann, grade 1 from Immaculate Conception School and parish in Columbia; Alena Schaltenbrand, grade 1 from St. James School and parish in Millstadt; Alexandra Antink, grade 1 from St. Mary’s PSR and parish in Centralia; Lily Levrault, grade 2 from Holy Childhood PSR and parish in Mascoutah; Madison Morgan, grade 2 from St. Mary’s School and parish in Mt. Carmel; Luke Breunig, grade 2 from St. Mary-St. Augustine School in Belleville, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Belleville; Matthew Juenger, grade 3, St. Agatha School and parish in New Athens; and Jessica Finck, grade 3 from St. Clare School in O’Fallon, St. Nicholas Parish in O’Fallon.

In the second category: Mary Kate Porath, grade 5 from St. Clare School in O’Fallon, St. Nicholas Parish in O’Fallon wrote: “I live the spirit of Christmas when I bring Christmas cheer to my family. When I teach the true meaning of Christmas and the celebration of Jesus being born no words can describe how I feel. Just watching somebody who is hurt feel better is my favorite way to live the spirit of Christmas. When I get to spend time with my family I can feel the spirit of Christmas stronger than ever. Sharing God’s love by sending a letter to a friend, neighbor, relative, or even stranger I not only live the spirit of Christmas but I send it too.”

Honorable mentions: Gwen Mattingly, grade 5, from Blessed Sacrament School and parish in Belleville; Kylee Cummins, grade 6 from St. Joseph PSR in Stringtown; Sam Tiberend, grade 5 from St. Agatha School and parish in New Athens; Grace Crain, grade 5 from St. John the Baptist Catholic School and parish; Jacob Sullivan, grade 5 from St. Teresa School and parish in Belleville; Nick Schmitz, grade 5 from St. Francis of Assisi PSR and parish in Aviston; and Julia Lyttle, grade 4 from St. Joseph’s School and parish in Olney.

In the third category: Tyler Knutson, grade 8 from St. Mary Grade School in Mt. Vernon wrote: “When one thinks of Christmas they think of a stereotypical holiday — filled with tinsel, presents and supermarket Santa Clauses. For me, these images of the season do not portray the true meaning of Christmas nor how I live the spirit of the holiday. Personally, the spirit of Christmas is not lived by receiving gifts or getting a good deal. I live the spirit of Christmas by spending as much time with my family as possible. The very family members who I as a child considered to be ‘just there’ will not be around forever, and every minute I spend with them is precious.”

Honorable mentions: Dustin Schrieber, grade 8, from St. John the Baptist Catholic School and parish in Red Bud; A.J. DiGiovanni, grade 7, from St. Mary-St. Augustine Catholic School in Belleville, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Belleville; Rick Edwards, grade 7, from St. Teresa School and parish in Belleville; Gabrielle Hoelscher, grade 8 from St. Boniface PSR in Germantown; Michael T. Coleman, grade 8 from Holy Family Catholic School and parish in Cahokia; and Madyson Keepes, grade 8 from St. Mary’s School and parish in Mt. Carmel.

In the fourth category: Ellen Maue, grade 10, from Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese, St. Mary Parish in Trenton wrote: “Every holiday season, my mother and I bake cookies for an entire day. We spend hours mixing and decorating scrumptious goodies. I become giddy with anticipation though I know these cookies are not for me. After my mom and I finish decorating the cookies, we arrange them on plates to be delivered. We spend the next day giving the festive, delectable cookies to our elderly neighbors and the sweet people in the nursing home. I live the spirit of Christmas when I see the expressions on the people in the nursing home’s faces glow with happiness, and I know I made someone’s Christmas brighter.”

Honorable mentions include: Kayla Hitpas, grade 10, Mater Dei, St. Dominic’s Parish in Breese and Madison Scace, grade 10, Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo, Immaculate Conception Parish in Columbia.

Honorable mentions in Category 1: Reagan Herrmann, grade 1 from Immaculate Conception School and parish in Columbia wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I go to visit the people in the nursing homes. I give cards and sing Christmas carols to them. I pray for people in the service and in hospitals that they get better. Poor people need prayers too."

Alena Schaltenbrand, grade 1 from St. James School and parish in Millstadt wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I will give the poor canned goods so they won't have to buy canned goods. I will give them hats and gloves."

Alexandra Antink, grade 1 from St. Mary’s PSR and parish in Centralia wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I help others. Christmas is a time when I give thanks for Jesus' birthday. I learned to give to others from Jesus so my favorite thing to do is nice things for other people. I love making special gifts for people. I love helping others by giving food, my clothes and my toys to people who need them more than I do. I live the spirit of Christmas when I make people feel happy when they are sad. Christmas is a nice time to celebrate with my family. I love Christmas very much."

Lily Levrault, grade 2 from Holy Childhood PSR and parish in Mascoutah wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I give, learn and love. Every time I do these things I do good and grow inside just like Jesus would. Types of good things I doa re helping and sharing with others. I help others by getting things for them, holding the door for them or even just helping them find something. I share with them when I play with them, when I read to them or when I just spend time with them. Jesus is the true spirit of Christmas and because of him we celebrate."

Madison Morgan, grade 2 from St. Mary’s School and parish in Mt. Carmel wrote: "I live the Christmas spirit when I give cards and gifts or do a food drive or shoe boxes. We do a lot in my family. It is fun to help people in need. How do you celebrate the Christmas spirit? And remember that Christmas is not all about the gifts. It is about Jesus, the Son of God."

Luke Breunig, grade 2 from St. Mary-St. Augustine School in Belleville, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Belleville wrote: "Hi, I am Luke and my Christmas spirit is to help decorate the house and help put up the Christmas tree. All the people I know are very happy during Christmas. Some people think Christmas is about getting stuff, but I think Christmas is about giving stuff. Christmas is not a time to be grumpy; it is a time to be happy. I am good by helping at the house, at school and at volleyball games. I love to be good. My class loves Christmas and Jesus too. I like to play Christmas games. I am happy whatever I get for lunch. I love Christmas."

Matthew Juenger, grade 3, St. Agatha School and parish in New Athens wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I celebrate Jesus's birthday. I enjoy giving Toys for Tots and singing songs at the nursing home. I also do the food drive. we light the Advent wreath to prepare for Jesus's birthday. The color of Advent is purple. Soon father will wear white for Christmas."

Jessica Finck, grade 3 from St. Clare School in O’Fallon, St. Nicholas Parish in O’Fallon wrote: "I think the spirit of Christmas is about giving. If you're a kid, it's not like you can just go out and buy a gift. Your parents might have to supervise you. You can always make a present though. Its easy! You could make a book or if you can sew, knit or anything like that you could do it to make a gift. The say, 'The best gifts come from the heart.' Christmas isn't about trees, presents or decorations. It's about giving. that's what I think the Christmas spirit is about."

Honorable mentions in Category 2: Gwen Mattingly, grade 5, from Blessed Sacrament School and parish in Belleville wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I treasure the kindness and joy my family gives me, not material things. In the Christmas story, the Holy Family has barely anything, but they feel rich because they have the treasure of love and the blessing of a healthy child. Some people get wound up in toys and sales at Christmas time, and they aren't aware of others' feelings about, perhaps, being trampled, pushed, shoved or in any way harmed to get a thing. Toys may be broken and mended, but if one's feelings are shattered, they may be impossible to fix."

Kylee Cummins, grade 6 from St. Joseph PSR in Stringtown wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas by understanding the true meaning. Most kids look forward to presents, and seeing their families, but I look forward to midnight Mass when I hear the beautiful choir singing. Kids think that the best gifts are the most expensive, but in my eyes, the best gift is Jesus. I love Christmas programs at my church. We sing and have little skits. At Stringtown we have a Jesse tree. Each symbol on the tree represents Jesus' family. Although I like getting presents, I need to remember that Jesus is the reason for this Christmas season!"

Sam Tiberend, grade 5 from St. Agatha School and parish in New Athens wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I donate clothes and toys to the less fortunate. I enjoy it because it not only makes me happy it makes the person receiving the item feel good too. It may be hard sometimes but I know I did the right thing. Christmas is also about Jesus' birth. On christmas we should go to church and be thankful for what we have. Those are the important things for me."

Grace Crain, grade 5 from St. John the Baptist Catholic School and parish in Red Bud wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when my family and I donate food to the poor. I feel good when I do it because I know it is what Jesus would do. Jesus always took care of the poor, and He wants us to follow His example. When we give items like clothing, shoes and food to the poor, we are giving it to Jesus too. Jesus is Emmanuel, the only Son of God. Always look upon Jesus in your time of trouble. That is how I live the spirit of Christmas."

Jacob Sullivan, grade 5 from St. Teresa School and parish in Belleville wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I reach out to the homeless and present them a gift that will put an immense grin on their faces. The spirit of Christmas is the gift of giving. We have Christmas to remember the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. Many people are losing their jobs and homes. On Christmas we can give them a little something to situate their lives back on track. Christmas isn't about receiving what you want. The Christmas spirit is giving the one gift that will make someone overflow with joy."

Nick Schmitz, grade 5 from St. Francis of Assisi PSR and parish in Aviston wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I see the happy faces of the less fortunate getting gifts from other families. Like canned goods, money clothes and toys. I also live the spirit of Christmas when I give gifts to members in my family. I think that asking for many presents is not Christmas. I celebrate Christmas by Jesus's birthday, and going to Mass. Christmas is not about gimme this, gimme that. Kindness, generosity and appreciations are some characteristics to help live the spirit of Christmas. Living the spirit of Christmas is being thankful for what you have but mostly remembering Jesus's birth."

Julia Lyttle, grade 4 from St. Joseph’s School and parish in Olney wrote: "II live the spirit of Christmas when I donate food to the kids in Africa that are starving. I also would prepare for Advent. To prepare for Advent I will make an Advent wreath. I could buy presents for my family or a family in need. I might be able to make cards for veterans in Iraq. Christ gave up his life for ours. I think that Christmas is more than getting, it's about joy. This is how I prepare for the spirit of Christmas."

Honorable mentions in Category 3: Dustin Schrieber, grade 8, from St. John the Baptist Catholic School and parish in Red Bud wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I help others. Christmas is a time of preparation and celebration of the birth of Jesus. We often only see ourselves and our family at this time, but now is the time to help others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. The poor also know Christmas but often are too poor to celebrate it. To truly live the spirit of Christmas, shouldn't we, the fortunate, make sure those who are less fortunate get to live the spirit of Christmas? When I do this, I truly live the spirit of Christmas."

A.J. DiGiovanni, grade 7, from St. Mary-St. Augustine Catholic School in Belleville, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Belleville wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I am with my family and friends at Mass, singing and seeing smiles on everyone's face; when I give a gift to someone or help them for no personal gain; when I pray to give thanks to God for sending Jesus, our savior; when I visit my grandparents and talk to them over a hearty homemade meal; and when I try to be the all-around best Christian I can be by living like a disciple of Jesus. The spirit of Christmas is spreading joy and good will to everyone."

Rick Edwards, grade 7, from St. Teresa School and parish in Belleville wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I Give. I think as a culture we have forgotten the true spirit of Christmas. I'm not talking about X-mas, I'm talking about CHRISTmas. We need to start giving back to the community. Most people have a home, family and gifts on Christmas. We have to remember that some people don't. I think everyone should give a little something to these people. It doesn't have to be money, just your time they will appreciate. If we just give a little to someone in need, we will be following in Christ's footsteps."

Gabrielle Hoelscher, grade 8 from St. Boniface PSR in Germantown wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas when I give and pray. Every year around Christmas time, I go Christmas caroling and all of the money we make goes to Guatemala. I also buy new toys that I give to Toy Joy, where people from our community can give new or gently used toys to the needy. I also live the spirit of Christmas by praying in religion and church for those who ask for our prayers. I think during the Christmas season, you should always be giving to and praying for those with less."

Michael T. Coleman, grade 8 from Holy Family Catholic School and parish in Cahokia wrote: "When I was younger the spirit of Christmas was getting presents. I didn't care my whole family came from around the world to see each other. Without presents Christmas would have stunk for me when I was younger. Then unfortunately my grandmother died, and shortly after, my grandfather did too. For the first Christmas I cried, not because I did not get what I wanted but because it was my first Christmas without my grandparents. I started getting fewer gifts as I got older, but I didn't care about those anymore. That's when it hit me: family coming together to celebrate their faith is what it is all about. I never realized it until some of the family was not there. Presents are great when you're little, but as you mature, you begin to realize they aren't as important as being with those you love while they are still living."

Madyson Keepes, grade 8 from St. Mary’s School and parish in Mt. Carmel wrote: "I live the spirit of Christmas knowing that my brother is home from Afghanistan. This year we won't have to talk to him on the computer and have the feeling that we are missing someone from Christmas. He will be right there living the spirit of Christmas with us as we open presents, eat and celebrate."

Honorable mentions in Category 4: Kayla Hitpas, grade 10, Mater Dei, St. Dominic’s Parish in Breese wrote: "As I have grown older, I have come to the realization that it is giving rather than receiving that brings the greatest satisfaction. I live the spirit of Christmas when I share the joy of the holiday season with others."

Madison Scace, grade 10, Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo, Immaculate Conception Parish in Columbia wrote: " 'Peace on earth, good will toward men!/ The shepherds claimed to hear./ Let us make the journey so/ To Christ we may be near./ Toward the little town of Bethlehem/ The star will show the way./ On a road less traveled by, we walk/ To where our Savior lay.
While imagining His radiant face,/ I realize one simple thing:/ Christmas isn't about the presents,/ Or even the carols that we sing./ Because of one important reason:/ I let CHRIST be the cause/ Of all my joy this season."