Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha (center) and Ronald Pihokker, director of the archdiocesan Catechetical Office, (right), congratulate the winners of this year's The Catholic Challenge. The students, (left to right) Gabriella Costa, Michelle Pendas, Kayleen Sanchez and Bridget Boll, proudly displayed their prizes-a laptop computer, a Wii, an Apple Ipod and a digital camera.

NEWARK-Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, presented awards to the top four finishers at this year's annual The Catholic Challenge competition, which was held April 4 at the Archdiocesan Center.

Thirty-two seventh and eighth graders from the archdiocesan religious education programs and Catholic schools competed in the final round. Preliminary rounds were held March 21. The Catholic Challenge is designed to demonstrate knowledge of the Catholic faith and its teachings.

Taking the top spots this year in the competition were: first place, Michelle Pendas, Saint Augustine Parish, Newark; second place, Bridget Boll, Saint Francis Academy, Union City; third place, Gabriella Costa, Assumption School, Wood-Ridge; and fourth place, Kayleen Sanchez, also of Saint Francis Academy.

Bishop da Cunha congratulated the winners and cited their enthusiastic participation and intense preparation in the event, while urging all the students to continue pursuing their education in order to take their place as future leaders of the Church.

Elizabeth Foer, associate director of the archdiocesan Catechetical Office, organized the event. In addition to the Catholic Challenge, the Catechetical Office hosts its annual Catechists Convocation for teachers, youth ministers, priests, deacons and parish adult faith formation teams. The convocation was held last November (see The Catholic Advocate, Sept. 17, 2008). Call Foer at (973) 497-4297 for more information on archdiocesan catechetical programs.