DIOCESE—With the election of Chicago native Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV this May, it’s been an exciting year to learn about vocations in the Church. His election has the potential to inspire vocations to the priesthood and religious life worldwide.
During this exciting year, the Diocese of Rockford’s Office of Vocations invites students to promote vocations through a poster contest.
All students in the diocese’s Catholic schools are invited to participate.
This year’s Office of Vocations theme comes from the Holy Father’s first papal homily May 9. He invited cardinals to “Spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the opportunity to know and love Him.”
It’s a perfect quote for National Vocation Awareness Week, which will be celebrated soon: Nov. 2-8.
Contest details
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to create 8.5” x 11” posters. All artwork should be hand-drawn, and artists are welcome to use a variety of media: pencils, paint, markers, crayons and more. Scripture verses, slogans, catchy phrases, or other words to highlight the promotion of vocations are encouraged.
Teachers, students and parents should note that for all posters, there are two rules:
— Only the 8.5” x 11” size will be accepted (vertical or horizontal).
— The back of each poster MUST have the student’s first and last name, school and city. Posters without this notation will be disqualified.
More information on the poster contest as well as lessons on vocations are available at https://www.rockfordpriest.org/resources/poster
Contest submissions
All poster submissions should be mailed to the Office of Vocations no later than Friday, Dec. 5, for judging to begin the following Monday. The mailing address is Office of Vocations; Diocese of Rockford; 555 Colman Center Drive; Rockford, IL 61108.
The posters will be judged on creativity, craftsmanship, effort and vocation message.
Diocesan winners will be chosen — one from each grade level. Each school will also have one overall winner.
Schools will be notified of the contest winners by Dec. 19, and the posters will be published afterward in The Observer as space permits.
Winning posters will be professionally printed and sent to the students’ schools for display.
Also, the diocesan and school winners will receive rosaries blessed by Bishop David Malloy.
