Two dozen students attending Catholic high schools and elementary schools in the Diocese of Cleveland received a total of $40,000 in scholarships on Aug. 5 at the 18th annual Catholic Education Endowment Trust Bishops? Scholarship for Excellence awards ceremony and luncheon at St. Michael?s Woodside Party Center in Broadview Heights.
Father Thomas Haren, pastor of St. Monica Parish in Garfield Heights and CEET Advisory Board chairman, said students were given a question and asked to write an essay as part of the scholarship application. Essays were reviewed by a panel of five judges from the CEET Advisory Board.
?It was hard to choose,? Father Haren said, noting all the essays were well done.
Retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger Gries, a former educator himself, told the students, their families, principals, pastors and other guests that God has given usmany gifts and it is up to us to use those gifts wisely -- and to give something back.
?Three points will make you stable,? he said, referencing physical, mind (mental) and spiritual gifts from God. ?Use these gifts to be the best you can be,? the bishop said.
He said the application essays included many great remarks, including the following excerpts:
- ?What you become is your gift to God; it?s how we give back to God.?
- ?With God?s guidance, I don?t have to look back.?
- ?I like to make people laugh