Last month, on April 29, The Christophers announced the winners of our Twenty-Third Annual Poster Contest for High-School Students. First prize went to Natalie Brunstein, a senior at Highlands Ranch High School in Colorado, for her luminescent picture of one candle lighting another, coupled with the message “You Can Make a Difference,” and the quote “A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle,” from our founder, Father James Keller, M.M. Second Prize went to Dylan Thomas, a student at South Carolina’s Academy of Fine Arts and Technology, for an enlarged photograph of his teacher, Mrs. DeSimone, cheerfully volunteering while carrying a little boy on her back, showing that the best gift a person can give is their time. And third prize went to C.J. Omita from Dulaney High School in Timonium, Maryland, for his picture of an older man giving a push to a younger man with no legs at the start of a snow race, with the heartwarming reminder: “You Can Make a Difference With a Little Push.”

Also in April, The Christophers participated in the New York Archdiocese’s “Basic Leadership Training” for Catechetical Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education. At the recent April session, Pam Hammond, National Coordinator of the Christopher Leadership Course, conducted a “Public Speaking and Written Communication” class at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Middletown, NY. We look forward to continuing our participation in the Archdiocese’s training program in this month of May as well. Click Here for photo.

Tony Rossi has been receiving great feedback from listeners about our Christopher Closeup radio show and podcast. One note in particular stood out. Tony forwarded me an interesting exchange he had with a listener who requested a copy of the Good Sportsmanship News Note mentioned on the show. After receiving the News Note, the listener wrote back: “Thank you so much. I work with children at a domestic violence shelter and thought it would be good program material. We listen to your program on the way to Mass each Sunday. I am impressed with your interviewing skills and your ability to weave Jesus into each conversation. You have a great program.”

Of all the responses Tony has gotten, I thought this one best demonstrates our mission in action, because so much of what we do depends on this very kind of chain reaction for good in the world. We work in support of all those on the front lines making a difference where it is most needed, like this listener who is so devoted to improving the lives of children living in difficult circumstances. Tony’s program provides these kids with inspiration, and it enables us to get the word out about other Christopher materials that can provide important guidance for the life journey that is ahead of them. Each effort we make represents one candle lit, and when others reach out to receive that light, more candles are lit, and lives can change for the better.

Thanks to all our donors for making what we do possible. For us, their generosity represents the initial candle being lit in the procession of light that is The Christophers’ mission.

God bless you all with peace of mind and heart.

Gratefully,

Mary Ellen Robinson, COO

The Christophers

“The New York Leadership staff enjoys a visit with inspiring Detroit Instructor, Gloria Henry (second from the left).”