The Catholic Citizenship Essay committee is accepting essays for this program beginning immediately.  The State Officers. Program Directors and Community Directors have decided to have one statewide essay selection process.  There will not be a need to have any local, district or regional competition. All entries should be sent directly to the State Community Director (see below).  

This contest encourages today’s youth to be more connected to their community and their faith through creative writing. The goal of this program is to involve young Catholics in grades 8 to 12 (public, private, parochial, or home schools during the current school year) in civic discourse and instill in them religious and life-affirming values. The essay should be a 500 - 750-word paper specifically focusing on the topic listed below. Winning essays will be judged on grammar, style, and clarity. Entrants should also utilize creativity and imagination for final submissions in a manner that adequately addresses their overall position on the topic.

Topic for 2024-2025 Fraternal Year: 

Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. It governs our acts, orders our passions, and guides our conduct by reason and faith. It also encourages Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. The call to live a virtuous life applies to individuals in every state of life and occupation, including our elected leaders. 

What are the two most important virtues for an elected leader to possess, and why? How can you determine if the leader has these virtues?

Some key items to consider:

1. The Catholic Citizenship Essay Committee will begin accepting submittals for this program in September.
2. In an effort to present the awards to the winners’ District Deputy, a strict timeline must be followed.
3. All State Essay submissions must be received by the State Essay Chairman by Wednesday, November 13^th, at the address listed below. 
4. State winners will be announced at a date to be determined. 
5. Please send all forms via UPS, Fed Ex, or another delivery service. 
6. If using the US Postal Service, please send them “Return Receipt Requested” so the sender has a record that they were received. 
7. I would also suggest you email me at [email protected] to let me know the forms were sent and the delivery service being used. 
8. All submissions should be sent to: 

Daniel Donovan

Catholic Essay Chairman

302 Holly Hill Court

Warwick, PA 18974