Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory visited St. Jude the Apostle Church on April 29 to present awards to the winners of a high school peace essay contest.

Sponsored by Pax Christi St. Jude, this was the second annual contest offered to high school juniors in the Catholic high schools in the metro area. Four schools participated with a winner chosen from each of the schools. A reception was held in their honor.

Each essay was based on the topic, “Peace Is Not Just a Word, But a Way of Life.” Each winner was given a “Junior Ambassador of Peace Award” as a framed certificate and a monetary gift for their achievement. The winners included Kristie St. Hilaire, Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell; Nigel Deen, Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Atlanta; Amanda Keuler, Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fairburn; and Michael Boulanger, Pinecrest Academy, Cumming.

In presenting the awards Sister Sally White, GNSH, co-founder of Pax Christi St. Jude, quoted inspirational passages from each of the winning essays.

Commenting on the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, Archbishop Gregory emphasized that during the past week the nation’s schools had been plagued once again by the results of violence and the seeds of violence, regardless of their origin, had been allowed to grow. He found it encouraging and commendable that at this same time these students were contemplating pathways for peace in their lives, which if pursued could greatly impact the future with the peace of Christ.