The staff of Catholic Times thanks all the young artists who sent in artwork for the annual Christmas cover contest. This year hundreds of children in grades K-6 submitted artwork to vie for the honor of appearing on the newspaper's cover. Submissions came from all around the diocese; some in group packages submitted by a teacher and some as singular submissions.
In what has become a tradition at Catholic Times, the staff has declared a tie for first place.
One of the first-place winners is Lydia Hadowsky, a fifth-grader at St. Paul School in Highland. Lydia's artwork, showing the Nativity of the Lord, is featured on the cover of this, our Christmas issue.
The other first-place winner is Monica Wendle, a fifth-grader at St. Mary School in Alton. Monica's artwork includes the Three Wise Men and so it will appear on the cover of the Dec. 28 issue in honor of the Epiphany of the Lord.
Both Lydia and Monica will receive a $25 check from Catholic Times.
Also shown in this issue are two other outstanding entries. Our first-place runner-up is Maris Brill, a first-grader at St. Michael School in Staunton. The second runner-up is Natalie Marie Wells, a fourth-grader at St. Agnes School in Springfield.
The staff of Catholic Times wishes a blessed and merry Christmas to all of our readers.
