Pacelli High School students contributed to a national prayer effort Thursday, with intentions of peace underlying rosary meditation.

Religion teacher Frank Vorlicek arranged the four morning sessions in celebration of the National Day of Prayer, a day where people of many faiths combined their efforts across the nation, asking God to guide the country and leaders at all levels in all communities.

Vorlicek said the students responded well.

"I thought the kids, in general, were very sincere," he said. "They realized the significance of prayer in life in the real world, outside the context of themselves."

"I think prayer makes a big difference now with the war, just having (the soldiers) in your prayers," Junior T.J. Parlin said.

Peace was the theme for the students, but many offered up special intentions. Vorlicek said it was obvious from the intentions how significant family members are to the students.

Junior Katie Austin prayed for people suffering from depression.

"That's in my family," she said. "It's hard to see people going through this, so that is my focus."

Vorlicek took advantage of the opportunity to teach some of the classes about the Mysteries of Light, five events from Jesus' life that were recently added as a meditation focus. They read the corresponding scripture passages as they prayed.

"I felt that none of them were really acquainted with the rosary that well, and the Mysteries of Light are so new, I thought it would be nice to emphasize them," Vorlicek said.

Sophomore Jessica Snyder said the rosary is a good way to pray because it involves everyone.

"I think more people participate in it because it's all set out for you," she said.

"I think it gave them a perspective on something that many people consider to be out-dated," Vorlicek said. "I think they realized that the rosary is a beautiful form of prayer."

Junior John Corkill said he is glad that, as a student in the Catholic School System, he has the opportunity to pray during school hours. He said teachers will often let students go to pray if they need some private time.

"Every once in a while you have bad days, and you just go up to the chapel for 15 or 20 minutes and then you go back to class," he said.

He finds a lot of comfort in prayer.

"It's a soothing thing that someone's up there listening to you," he said.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com