Catholic Schools Week Essays

 By Jessica DeTorres - Grade 7 Finalist

"Faith in Every Student"

   What is faith? To me, faith is a number of things.You can have faith in your family, your friends, your God, and even yourself.

   I have a lot of faith in my God. When I am feeling afraid or lonely, I have faith, and I know He will guide me. I have faith that He is with me and watching over me.

   I have faith in my family. I know that they will always be there for me. I trust them with all my heart.

   I also have faith in my friends. I know that I can trust them and talk to them. They are always there for me.

   Another very important person to have faith in is yourself. If you believe you can do something, you probably can. But if you have no confidence, you probably won't get too far.

   Everybody has some kind of faith. Whether it is in yourself, or your family, or your God, it doesn't matter.

By Kalli Teradi– Grade 7 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

   Faith is believing in something or someone even if you can’t prove you are right. It is a good feeling. You believe anything is possible. Faith gives you strength.

   I have faith that my brother is in heaven and that he watches over me. That makes me know that God is there too. So there’s a power with me all the time.

   I am being cared for by people of great faith. They show me the right way to do things. Catholic School Week celebrates the growth of faith in students.

By Stephanie Naru – Grade 7 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

Having faith in a student as a friend in school,

is trusting in her to be kind and not cruel

Having faith in a student who’s on a school team,

is believing in her that she can achieve

Having faith in a student that’s holding a secret

is believing in her loyalty that she will keep it

Having faith in a student who does work at her best,

is knowing that they tried hard and nothing less

Students that have faith in good people and friends,

is having faith in their souls which is God that never ends

Students all have faith each and every one,

if you look deep enough inside you’ll find the one they love

By Jacob Brown – Grade 6 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

   Faith is believing in God and trusting in him. People at Bishop Dunn show faith by going to church. The eighth grade students show faith and kindness by helping at the soup kitchen and at Head Start. We have faith in praying to God. The students and teachers are respectful and kind to one another. Faith is a very important part of everyday at Bishop Dunn.

By Megan Stacklum – Grade 6 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

   There is a thing called faith that every student has. Do you know what it is? Have you ever heard of the saying, “I have faith in you”? Well that’s what faith is. Faith is being able to know and believe that God is watching over us. Faith is to be able to believe that someone knows you or someone else believes you can do something. Faith is trusting someone with something. Faith is believing in God and other people like friends.

By Alex Coppola – Grade 6 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

Faith is the trust in God without knowing

Faith is the belief that keeps us going

Faith is not about the journey ahead

Faith is believing the things Jesus said

Faith keeps the students face at Bishop Dunn

Without faith life would be no fun

The students found here think faith is influential

We need it at Bishop Dunn because faith is essential

The faith in God at our school drives me to say

“Faith helps the community each and every day.”

 By Arielle Guneratne - Grade 5 Finalist
"Faith in Every Student"

   To have faith means to be happy, to have courage, and believe.  Everything you do in life involves you to believe and to have faith in yourself and God.

   If everyone on this earth had faith in themselves, and the people around them, there wouldn't be anymore wars or any more violence.

   Faith is in Mr. D. when he helps us do the right thing.  Faith is in Sr. Frances when she spreads her love and teachings about God.  Faith is in Mrs. Birnbryer all the time.  She is loving, caring, understanding, calm, patient, and reverent along with everyone else at Bishop Dunn.

   When I think of faith within myself I know that I believe in my Catholic beliefs.  The foundation of who I am begins with my faith in the Lord.  Next, is my faith within my family.  Then, faith within my school and family at Bishop Dunn.

   Being a part of a Catholic School Community is very special to me and sharing our beliefs and our faith together as a school is very important.  Faith in every student means that every child will have hope and faith to prosper in the future in whatever they may do.

By Sean McKay – Grade 4 Finalist
"Faith in Every Student"

   Faith lives in every student.  In my opinion faith is belief in people.  I think it also means encouragement and trust.  I think the people that give you almost all the faith you have are your parents.

   My parents give me a huge amount of faith.  Since I love my parents I give them a lot of faith too.  Since I honor my parents I follow one of the Ten Commandments.  One example is when my mom had a test I said, “You’ll do fine.”  My relationship between my God and me is strong.  I keep this bond strong and demonstrate it in several ways.  I practice my faith by going to church.  By praying, I stay close to God each day.  By attending catholic school I learn more about God.

   In summary, as you can see, there is faith all around us.  Many people show us their faith by example.  Our parents, Father Bill, our teachers and Coaches all help us how to “keep the faith.”  Also keep in mind you must believe in yourself; because believing in yourself is sometimes the greatest way to show God our faith in him!

By Lily Snyder – Grade 4 Finalist
"Faith in Every Student"

   Faith.  What is faith you ask?  I think faith is believing in God and others.  I think of faith as a flower and every time you have faith for someone or something your flower grows.  I think faith is unique and one of a kind.  God gives us this faith so in return we have to give God our faith in order to get his faith.

   The way you can give God your faith is by showing his faith in others.  Another way is by giving him faith that you will make the right decision.  Like I had faith in God when my Papa Jerry died.  He had cancer and was very, very sick.  I know God mad the right choice for my Papa Jerry.

   Are you faithful to your friends?  Are you faithful to your parents?  Not only do you need to give God your faith.  But your parents, friends, and loved ones as well.  Like at Bishop Dunn I show my faith to my friends and teachers everyday.  An example would be at the science fair or the talent show.  I have faith in my classmates that they will be GREAT.  So in conclusion you don’t have to see faith to believe it.  You just have to feel it.

By Vincent Thurston – Grade 4 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

   I think in my heart that faith is believing in God and trusting others like the priest and minister.  Faith to me is a line of connection to God.  When you have faith in God the line of connections grows stronger and when you don't have faith in God the line gets weaker.  I have faith in Mrs. Koller, my friends, and my family.  I know they have faith in me.

   I feel that faith is like one of the beatitudes like the eighth beatitude, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  That means they used to kill people that believed and had faith in God.  Today you can believe anything if you have faith in God.  You can go to church and make the line of connection go God almost unbreakable.  In church, the Gospel is part of what makes the line of connection with God even stronger but really what makes it stronger is listening to what the priests says.

   Those are the things I think about “faith in every student” means.  I think that you should have faith in everyone.  If you do have faith in everyone, they will have faith in you.

By Dante Harris – Finalist Grade 4

“Faith in Every Student”

   Faith dwells in every student. I think that faith is what we believe in. Faith is also the love of your parents. It is also the relationship with God. When I take Karate my mom and brother have faith in me. When I got to piano my teacher has faith in me.

   People in Catholic schools have a lot of faith in God. When people have faith in you that shows God has faith in you. If you believe in other people you believe in God. Each time you have faith in someone you climb a step higher to God.

   When your parents believe in you, you know you can do it. Sometimes if you’re lucky you get an excellent teacher like Mrs. Koller. One time when I was learning how to ride a bike my parents where there to see me succeed. Parents and teachers are excellent examples of faith.

   I believe that you can see faith dwell in every student, if you believe in yourself. I wish people had more faith than they do already. Remember if you have faith you will never be alone.

By Dominic Vander Woude – Grade 3 Finalist
"Faith in Every Student"

What is Faith?

Believing in God

Believing in Jesus Christ

Trusting in God’s Word

Share in God’s life through water

Knowing about God’s kingdom

How Faith Helps Me

Faith strengthens my soul

It is my purpose in life

It helps me be kind

Faith brings me closer to God

Faith gives me hope to Heaven

How can I show my Faith?

I show others faith

I obey the commandments

I pray every day

I receive the sacraments

I give money to the poor

By Madison Dill – Grade 3 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

My Faith in Jesus

Faith is believing

Like believing in Jesus

And loving Jesus

I see Jesus all the time

Faith keeps Jesus in my heart.

Faith keeps me in line

It keeps me on the right path

God’s love cleans my soul

God is with me all the time

Faith in God makes me happy.

I do what I’m told

I go to church on Sunday

I love my parents

I do my homework first thing

This is how I show my faith.

By Christopher Introcaso - Grade 3 Finalist
"Faith in Every Student"

Tanka

Faith is believing.

Faith is believing in God.

Faith means being kind.

Faith is comforting to all.

Faith is a basic of life.

I pray everyday.

My faith becomes strong with prayer.

My faith will help me.

Faith helps me live a good life.

Belief in God shows your faith.

My faith helps me love.

Faith helps me get through bad times.

My family prays.

I know that God is with me.

He helps me to choose wisely.

By Isabella Saffioti – Grade 2 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

   God helps me when I am sad or hurt or sick and when my mom tells me that somebody is sick in the hospital I say a prayer on my rosary beads. And when my cousins are sad I try to help them. And if I hurt myself my cousin Emma helps me. And when she hurts herself, I help her. God helps me a lot. I love God. I am so happy that God made this world. I am so thankful for my house and this world. This world will not be a better place without God. Thank you so much God. I am so thankful for my mom and dad.

By Michael C. – Grade 2 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

   God makes us strong when we have to do hard things. God gave me my wonderful parents who helped me get better when I was very sick. We prayed to St. Philomenia and asked for her help, too.

By Lauren Bayer – Grade 2 Finalist

“Faith in Every Student”

    When I was born I knew God was there. I felt his love in me. He made me smile at my mom and dad. I was smiling at God. When God told me to smile I did because I love God and mom and dad. I know God loves me and I love God. I think that is faith.