Clare N
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Kamwenge, has emerged as the winner of this year’s Try Prayer It Works Contest, organized by Holy Cross Family Ministries Uganda- HCFM to strengthen the faith of young people through creative and innovative expressions of prayer.
The 2025 contest, held over the weekend at Venerable Peyton CSC Echo Hall on Saturday under the theme “Prayer:My Pathway to Peace”, brought together eight schools from Fort Portal Catholic Diocese with Students presenting the theme through prose, poetry, song, and drama at the Holy Cross Family Ministries National Headquarters in Kitumba, Fort Portal City.
St. Thomas Aquinas S.S claimed first place with a score of 95%, followed by Kitumba S.S (93%), Kigarama Talent (88%), Divine Mercy S.S (84%), St. Adolf S.S Katoosa (80%), Kahinju S.S (76%), and Kyarusozi S.S (75%).
The day, began with Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Robert K. Muhiirwa Akiiki, who encouraged the students to always recognize God’s boundless love for humanity. He invited them to entrust their lives to God who loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to die on the Cross and to present to Him the “crosses” they encounter in their daily lives, such as challenging subjects, early morning preps, and other struggles in school and life.
Bishop Muhiirwa reminded the congregation that God hears every prayer as long as there’s faith, just as He heard the prayer of Venerable Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., founder of Holy Cross Family Ministries, who was healed from tuberculosis.
He also expressed gratitude to Holy Cross Family Ministries for inspiring young people to grow in faith through creative approaches to prayer like “Try Prayer it Works Contest”, and encouraged students to remain committed on the right path.
Rev. Fr. John Baptist Nsubuga, C.S.C., Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries East African Province, commended Fort Portal Diocese for embracing the Try Prayer It Works program, noting that even last year’s student representative at the international level came from the Diocese. He praised the high quality of the performances and encouraged continued participation. He also mentioned that, as in previous years, the committee will carefully select the most suitable candidate to represent Uganda on the international stage.
Rev. Fr. Lulu Gabriel CSC, Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries Fort Portal, thanked Bishop Muhiirwa for accompanying the youth in this initiative, describing his presence as a great encouragement. He also congratulated the participating schools and encouraged those who could not attend this year to join in future editions.
Aijuka Francis Xavier, a student at Devine mercy S.S, noted that through research to portray thematic concerns, the contest helps them to strengthen their faith through relating the theme to their daily lives, crediting HCFM for the initiative.
Hellen Ankunda, Youth In-charge at Holy Cross Family Ministries, expressed her delight at the strong turnout and urged students to inspire their peers from other schools to take part in this faith-strengthening cause.