SAN DIEGO — For the last 25 years, Serra International–San Diego, in conjunction with the Diocese of San Diego, has sponsored an eighth-grade essay contest on vocations.
The 2022 contest asked students to reflect on their vocations — whether to married, single or religious life — in light of the following Scripture passage: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16).
This year’s 10 winners were: Lilly Awad, St. John the Evangelist; Giovanna Barroso, The Nativity School; Faith Beltran, St. Gregory the Great; Jameson Brown, School of the Madeleine; Kisha Encarnacion, St. Kieran; Aidan Guerrero, St. Rose of Lima; Larisa Arce Negrete, Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Samantha Sabaot, St. Rita; Charlie Sawaya, St. Columba; and Anna Williamson, Good Shepherd.
Along with their relatives, teachers, principals, pastors and friends, the winners were invited to an awards presentation May 5 at the diocesan Pastoral Center. Each winner received a certificate and an engraved Bible.
Serra USA was formed in 1935 when a small group of lay people in Seattle decided to form an organization to promote and foster vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life. Today, there are over 500 Serra Clubs in the United States, and the organization is present in over 40 countries.
For more information about Serra International–San Diego, email Dianna Pacheco at Diannapach@hotmail.com and visit Serraus.org or SerraInternational.org.
