Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, Essay Contest Winner!
Ms. Patricia Rooney, Principal of Father Judge High School, Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, Ryan Antonelli, and Bro. Dan Wisniewski, OSFS.
Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, dedicated his ministry to promoting ecumenism and working for unity. He passed away in May 2023, just a few months after publishing his latest book. Fr. Crossin was recognized as a national leader in ecumenism and served on the US Conference of Bishops. After his death, his family, friends, and Oblate brothers formed a partnership to continue his work.
One of their efforts was establishing the Annual Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, Christian Unity Essay Contest. This year’s contest focused on the 2026 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which was Paul’s advice to the early Church: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”(Ephesians 4:4).
This year, essays were received from high school students enrolled at Father Judge High School (Philadelphia, PA), Padua Academy (Wilmington, DE), and Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria, VA). So many creative and inspiring ideas were shared in the student essays. “It was a pleasure to witness the impact of the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal on the discussion about the Body of Christ, inspiring unity in the world today,” said Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, Provincial of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province.
We are pleased to announce that the winning essay was written by Ryan Antonelli from Father Judge High School, Class of ‘29!