Annual Catholic Appeal Scholarship

Essay Contest Requirements

Each year, the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) brings Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis together to answer the Gospel call of Christ to serve others.  In an effort to share the good news about the Appeal’s impact in our community and to promote the involvement of our young people in the life of the local Church, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson and the Annual Catholic Appeal Council invite any Junior who attends a Catholic High School in the Archdiocese of St. Louis to participate in the 2022-2023 ACA Essay Scholarship Contest.

Objectives

The essays selected will be judged according to the manner in which the participant addresses the following questions:

1. Why is it important for me and all the Catholics of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to   come together to participate in the Annual Catholic Appeal?
2. What does “Stewardship” mean to me, and how do I practice it in my life?
3. How are people in my own community and/or throughout the Archdiocese impacted by the ACA? 

Submission Criteria

The essay should be limited to 3-5 typed pages double-spaced. The heading on each essay should be as follows: student name and title (including Mr. or Miss), name of school, home address, city, state, zip, phone number, and his/her parish.

Selected judges will review the essays submitted and rank the scholarship recipients for your high school in the order of first ($1,000), second ($750) and third ($500) places. Scholarships will only be granted for essays meeting all requirements.

Each student will receive a certificate, a journal, and a gift card and their picture will be posted in the St. Louis Review. 

Research Suggestions

Below are a few research suggestions for students who are looking for help in getting started.

1. Video and Brochures for the 2022/23 Annual Catholic Appeal.  (Sent under separate     cover.)
2. Website for the Annual Catholic Appeal at ACA.
3. Many of the ministries supported by the Appeal have their own websites, such as the Office of Youth Ministry at St Louis Youth Group.
4. Many ministries supported by the Appeal would be happy to talk to the students         writing the essays. The inside of the brochure has a complete listing along with     contact information for each supported ministry.
5. The St. Louis Review often has articles about the Appeal.