When we launched our children’s Easter drawing contest several years ago, the intent was to encourage parents and teachers to remind children in a commercialized world about the true meaning of Easter. And then to have children express that true meaning through their art.

This year, however, the children’s drawings, several of which are printed on these pages, serve to remind adults of the joy and hope given to us by Jesus on that first Easter morning.

With schools and churches closed, and families staying isolated in homes, we received fewer entries than normal. But the quality of the art has seldom been higher.

Grade 7-8

That quality is evident in the entry by Sienna Pereira of Oakville, Ont., the winner in the Grade 7-8 category. Her depiction of a risen Jesus in a stained-glass motif impressed the judges for its creativity and use of colour.

Sienna Pereira, Grade 7 (Winner)

Yena Lee, Grade 7

Logan Pighin, Grade 7

Saruja Selvarajah, Grade 8

Dimiana Saeed, Grade 7

Grade 1-3

In the Grade 1-3 category, the winner is Chiara Valenti of Richmond Hill, Ont., a Grade 3 student who is homeschooled through Mother of Divine Grace Distance Learning School. The young artist impressed the judges with a drawing of the risen Lord being bathed in light as He emerged on that first Easter morning.

Chiara Valenti, Grade 3 (Winner)

Nathan Pereira, Grade 3

Charlotte Chummar, Grade 3

Emma DiTaranto, Grade 1

Malina Santoro, Grade 1

Gianna Valenti, Grade 1

Grade 4-6

In the Grade 4-6 category, the winner is Abby Bertola, 12, a Grade 6 student from Father Serra Catholic School in Etobicoke, Ont. She won over the judges with her creative depiction of Jesus exiting the tomb.

Abby Bertola, Grade 6 (Winner)

Marcus Erico Edisane, Grade 4

Gabriel Reis, Grade 4

Leonel Samunawu, Grade 5

Isabelle Marie, Grade 4

Eva Pighin, Grade 4

Jasper Iverson, Grade 5

Each of the three winners receives a $75 gift certificate for a day at the movies.

Thank you and Happy Easter to all the participants.