Brithney Rivera, a parishioner of All Saints church, Williamsburg, won first place in the ninth grade category of the national Try Prayer! It Works! student art contest. Another diocesan student whose art was recognized was Irina Zheng, a sixth grader at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Dyker Heights. She won third place in her category.

The 21st annual national competition, sponsored by Family Rosary, encouraged students to express their faith through art, poetry and prose. The contest attracted nearly 2,500 entries from across the U.S.

This year, the theme was “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers and sisters?” (Based on Matthew 12:46-50.) Students from Kindergarten through 12th grade creatively depicted in various art forms how they act in faith and follow the word of God.

In the Scripture passage that inspired this year’s theme, Jesus is told that his mother and brothers are waiting to speak to Him. After asking, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” Jesus holds out His hand toward His disciples and says, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in Heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

“Scripture teaches us that we connect with Jesus by doing the will of God,” said Father Hugh Cleary, C.S.C., National Director of Family Rosary. “We must listen carefully for his direction and then do what is asked of us.

For more information, call 800-299-7729 or visit FamilyRosary.org/TryPrayer.