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Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest
by Shireen Groleau
As I stood by my window looking outside,
I saw a black street and a little street sign.
The sign said "stop," but I wanted to go...
To the mall with my friends and to play in the snow.
I thought to myself, I have so many things,
And there are some who have just what life brings.
They don't get new shoes, new clothes, or new coats.
They're not like some families with cell phones and boats.
There are those who sleep out in the cold at night.
But I sleep in my warm bed with my little night-light.
I thought to myself, what can I do for them?
Those that are lonely, without even one friend?
I thought of an idea, and put out some requests,
And asked some local tradesmen to help others be their best.
We could teach our neighbors trades, and they could teach their kin.
Helping others help themselves is what we call win-win.
If only we could help the needy make the most of where they live.
They could live in dignity, teach others skills, and thereby give.
The community would help, working side-by-side together.
These skills they could use, not for a week, but forever.
As I look around the world I know, I now see things quite differently.
I realize that God's not just teaching others; He's also teaching me.
Why has God blessed me with a family that gives?
When some stay outside and can barely live?
I know why God has done this for me.
He wants me to share like the Giving Tree.
He's shown me, by rebuilding homes we are building dignity,
And that when I give to others, He is giving back to me.
Shireen is an 8th grader who attends Holy Angels Church in Aurora, Illinois in the diocese of Rockford.
Copyright © 2001, United States Catholic Conference, Inc., Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
written by Lauren Jackson, Brookline Regional Catholic School, Pittsburgh, PA. Diocese of Pittsburgh winner.
Many years ago a gardener gave some seeds to two of his friends. The gardener gave both of his friends two seeds each. Then the gardener said to his friends, "I am giving you these seeds. Give them back to me in a year." So one friend planted the seeds. When they grew into a tree he fed the homeless people with the apples that grew on the tree. The friend asked if they could give him the seeds back. The homeless people at the apples and gave the seeds back to the friend. That friend soon had five hundred seeds. The other friend just kept the two seeds in his closet in a box for the whole year. Then the year was over, the two friends came back to the gardener to give the seeds back. The first friend said, "Here are the seeds, I grew more seeds with the ones you had given me and fed the homeless people with the apples." The gardener said, "You have put your gifts to good use. You may keep the seeds." The other friend said, "I kept them just the way you gave them to me. I didn't do anything with them." The gardener said, "You could have don wonderful things with these seeds. Why didn't you? You may not keep the seeds. But because I forgive you, you can stay and help my other friend and I plant my extra seeds." The friend stayed and helped them and they all remained friends forever.
The moral of this story is, if God gives you a wonderful gift, put it to good use.
Copyright © 2001, United States Catholic Conference, Inc., Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
submitted by Kelly Phillips, Paterson, CA.
Diocese of Stockton winner.
As you drive home on
that fierce rainy day,
you see a many with a sign,
but what to you do or say?
Do you yell, "Get a job,"
and drive away fast,
or look out the window,
and put it in your past?
Do you read the sign,
"Will work for pay,"
but remind yourself that
it's out of your way?
Do you look past his face,
so sullen and dark,
and think about how he
will sleep in the park?
Do you stop your car, tell him you'll
help him get back on his feet,
and introduce him to every
employer you meet?
Do you find him a job,
working in the field,
help him realize hard work's
bountiful yield?
The best thing to do is help him
help himself,
and show him how to share
in our world's wealth.
Copyright © 2001, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.,
Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
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