Steuben youths named winners in Knights’ poster contest

Several Steuben County-area winners were announced earlier this year in the Knights of Columbus’ “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest.

The local event was sponsored by Father Lewis E. Brown Council 281. Winners were recognized during the 9 a.m. Mass on Feb. 8 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Addison.

Grade-level winners were Jameson Schiaerth-Barahona (kindergarten), Aleea Gunn (grades 1-2), Joshua Landry (grades 3-4), Eva Dalton (grades 5-6) and Marie Landry (grades 7-8). Honorable mention went to Elaina Gunn (grades 3-4), Alexia Gunn (grades 5-6), Noelle Case (grades 5-6) and Lilian Case (grades 7-8).

Each year, in the Diocese of Rochester and other parts of the world, Knights promote the Keep Christ in Christmas slogan in parishes and the wider community. The effort is extended through distribution of Keep Christ in Christmas magnets, Christmas cards and signs; tree lightings, creche- and Advent-wreath blessings; re-enactments of the Nativity; candlelight processions; caroling; and community gatherings.

These efforts serve as a reminder that Christ’s birth is the true reason for celebrating Christmas. The program “encourages councils to prompt their neighbors to shift from a preoccupation with materialism to the light of Christ and the spirit of giving,” according to the Knights of Columbus website.