Video Contest Winners

First Place
Producers: Matthew Jones and William Lederer III
Holy Cross Parish


Second Place
Producers: Clarissa Cano, Samantha Cano, Sarah Cwick and Breanna Suarez
St. Odilo Parish


Third Place
Producers: Franne Aboushuosha, Gabi Cipriano, Christine DiLuia, Claire Duncan, Cindy Izzo, Jenna Ladner, Evelyn Weidman and Kelly Ward
Infant Jesus of Prague Parish


To mark the Year of Sunday Mass, year two in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s strategic pastoral plan, Catholic high school students from parishes in Cook and Lake counties were invited to create an original, two-minute video about the importance of Sunday Mass.

Contest entrants were asked to participate in a small-group reflection process called “Circles of Witness for Teens,” create and produce a two-minute video, show the video to other teens and gather feedback and submit the completed entry form and DVD to the archdiocese. Forty-four films created by 135 teens who represent at least 36 parishes were submitted.

Winners of the contest are: First place, $5,000: “Manifestation of the Mass” by youth from Holy Cross Parish, Deerfield; Second place, $2,500: “Catholic Mass” by youth from St. Odilo Parish, Berwyn; and third place, $1,000: “Teens Growing in Faith” by youth from Infant Jesus of Prague Parish, Flossmoor. Mount Assisi Academy, Lemont, received an “Honorable Mention” award of $1,000 for submitting 26 films. A matching award will also be given to the Catholic parish or Catholic school designated by the winners.

Cardinal George will present the awards to the youth during Parish Leadership Day Feb. 23 at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. The video contest was co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and ACTA: Foundation for Adult Catechetical Teaching Aids.

Joyce Duriga, Editor, Catholic New World


Click here to view all submitted videos.