Over 450 Catholic school students, teachers, missionaries and supporters of the missions from throughout the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois attended the annual Mission Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield on Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Students from Cathedral School in Springfield and St. Mary School in Paris assisted with the liturgy, while the St. Aloysius School choir from Springfield led the singing.

Every student in attendance received a handmade World Mission rosary, along with encouragement from Vicki Compton, director of the Missions, to pray it as a special gift to the missions in this Year of Faith.

"Spreading the Good News of Jesus is not just the work of missionaries far from home," Compton said at the Mass. "You are called to bring Jesus to the people around you. Praying the mission rosary will give you the grace to participate enthusiastically in the missionary work of the church here and far away."

Parish School of Religion (PSR) awards and school awards were presented to the top schools in each category. Awards are based on highest per capita donations to the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA, formerly known as Holy Childhood Association).

For the second year in a row, in the PSR division, St. Agnes PSR in Hillsboro won first place; with St. Francis of Assisi, Teutopolis, second, and Holy Family, Litchfield, third.

Also for the second year in a row in the Catholic school awards, St. Mary School, Paris, won first place; with St. Mary School, Brussels, second; Blessed Sacrament School, Springfield, third; Cathedral School, Springfield, fourth, and St. John Neumann, Maryville, fifth.

Claire Spain, a fourth-grade student at St. Ambrose School in Godfrey, was recognized for artwork she created last year in the MCA's annual Christmas Artwork Contest. Her artwork is one of 24 designs which will be available on the MCA website to be sent as e-greetings during Advent and Christmas this year. Students from all over the United States compete for this honor.

"Congratulations to Claire and to her third-grade teacher Mrs. (Ann) Alread, for promoting the contest," Compton said. A framed replica of Claire's artwork will be hung in St. Ambrose School, while her original artwork will be displayed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.