Gathering around candles in family prayer

This touching photo was sent to us by Mary Staropoli, showing her children Frank, Giuseppe and Gianna participating in a community prayer. Through an effort coordinated by Sheila Curtis, families in this Mapleton community light candles every Friday at 7 p.m. and pray, each on their own porch.

This photo is presented as an inspiration more than a contest entry. Nonetheless, Mary is now eligible for the Photo of the Month award in our "Menifee in Pictures" contest.

"Menifee in Pictures" is a regular feature on Menifee 24/7. Readers are invited to contribute photos for publication. Email your photo as a .jpg file to info@menifee247.com and selected photos will be published, along with your name as the photographer. Please include your full name on the submission and any explanation about where and when the photo was taken. If your photo is selected from among those published as the Photo of the Month, you will win a $25 gift certificate from Giovanni's Pizza Pasta and More, located at 26900 Newport Road in Menifee.