YOUNG ARTISTS DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS AT ART EXHIBIT

Left, Felicity West, a senior at Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison, shows off her award-winning Superintendent’s Choice painting “Sacrificial Lamb.” The painting also won Popular Choice.

Below, William Sullivan, a St. Thomas Aquinas, Overland Park, student, participates in an interactive art activity held during the event as his art teacher, Chelsie Kane, looks on. The students’ instructions were to use their breath — like the Holy Spirit — to create art.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann knows it.

Years ago, while he was in residence at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, he had occasion to celebrate Masses and preach homilies. Not everyone appreciated his homilies — but everyone did appreciate the stunning art on the basilica’s walls and ceiling.

“I’d tell people if you’re not getting anything out of the homily, just look up,” said Archbishop Naumann. “You’ll find something to inspire you and to inform.”

Art is one of the ways the church has evangelized people through the ages until today, he told students, teachers, principals and archdiocesan staff during an awards presentation on March 3 during the Archbishop’s Invitational High School Art Exhibit at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

The theme this year, developed with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ threeyear program of national Eucharistic Revival in mind, was: “Eucharist. May We Never Lose Our Wonder.”

>> See “EUCHARIST” on page 4

Award Recipients 2023

• Sofie Hyde, Bishop Miege senior, took Archbishop’s Choice with her piece “Hands of Salvation.”

• Felicity West, Maur Hill-Mount Academy senior, took Superintendent’s Choice and Popular Choice with her work “Sacrificial Lamb.”

• Charlie Rziha, Maur Hill-Mount Academy sophomore, took a Juror’s Choice with his piece “Redeemed.”

• Sophia Werkowitch, St. Thomas Aquinas senior, took two Juror’s Choice awards for “In Persona Christi” and “Sacrifice of Love.”

• Ella Zysk, St. James Academy sophomore, won a Juror’s Choice for “Reach.”

• Grace Kissell, sophomore at St. James Academy, won a Juror’s Choice for “The Ultimate Sacrifice.”