Essay Winner Wins Opportunity to Meet Pope

Student: Fruits of Catholic Education Evident

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 10, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The effects of a good Catholic education inevitably surface in the deeds of its students, said the winning Catholic University of America essayist who won the opportunity to meet Benedict XVI.Peter Osgood, a senior biology major, was named this morning as the winner of an essay-writing contest on the theme "How Catholic Education Has Changed My Life."His prize will be a personal introduction to the Holy Father when the Pontiff visits campus next week to give an address on Catholic education to more than 400 university presidents and diocesan education leaders from around the country.Father David O'Connell, president of the university, chose Osgood out of more than 125 Catholic university students who entered the contest. In his essay, Osgood wrote about having attended a small Catholic elementary school in his hometown of Penn Yan, New York, a school he said his father often called "the best-kept secret of our region.""I remember vividly how each school day began in prayer," he wrote. "It was here that we brought to mind those in need, gave thanks for our many gifts and asked for help in all of our challenges. This truly set the tone for our learning throughout the rest of the day."Our classrooms were focused on building quality persons who could push themselves -- and one another -- to achieve great things. Yet we were also shown how to be caring and supportive friends, in the true spirit of the Gospel. While my parents were endlessly pleased with the rigorous and thorough education I was receiving, I know they were more proud of the individual I was becoming."FaithThough Osgood went to public schools for junior high and high school, he longed for faith to again be a central part of his learning as a college student, and enrolled as an undergraduate at Catholic University."What I found," he wrote, "was an undeniable passion for learning and a faith community that embodied a true spirit of ministry -- one that was willing to meet people at whatever stage they were at and walk with them on their individual journeys."An excellent Catholic education, he says, "cannot remain a 'best-kept secret,' but will inevitably be shown in the words and deeds of each of its students."The essay contest runner-up is Christopher Seibt, a philosophy major from Syracuse, New York, who will also Benedict XVI's address on Catholic education at the Catholic university. Both students will also attend the private post-address reception for those invited to the Pope's address.Three students won honorable mention for their essays: Joanna Berry, a senior theology major from Joliet, Illinois; Marcel Antonio Brown, a doctoral student in English, from Arlington, Virgina; and Craig Mariconti, a junior psychology major from Warwick, New York.The three students won tickets to sit in a special suite at the Mass that the Pope will celebrate April 17 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.The announcement of the contest winners coincides with the 121st anniversary of the founding of Catholic University.