Erynne Gilpin, a student at King’s University College in London, Ont., said she feels CCSA conferences are an integral part of uniting Catholic students across Canada.

“I think it’s really important for these Catholic youth to get together and realize that they’re not alone,” she said. “They’re part of a huge network of youth who are standing in solidarity for the same things.”

For Michael McCann, a second-year biology student at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., it’s all about sharing faith.

“I love Catholic fellowship,” he said. “I live for Catholic fellowship, so I think any conferences like this are really important, because without fellowship, we can’t increase in our faith.”

CCSA national co-ordinator Lori Neale says Catholic students are often spread out in small and isolated groups across the country.

“It’s really wonderful to find an opportunity for students to come together and meet other students who are similar, taking leadership on their campuses, to bring faith to campus and to really bring alive the faith that Christ gave to us,” she said.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Awakening Communion.” Through workshops and a guided tour of the city, students were reminded of their ecological responsibility as Catholics to preserve and respect nature. They were called to take action on their campuses and to advocate events such as “Bottled Water Free Day” on March 10, which speaks out against privatizing water.

Sr. Noreen Allossery-Walsh was the keynote speaker. She encouraged students to explore creation through an ecological lens and to embrace creation by being environmentally conscious.

The theme was inspired by the location, just outside of New Brunswick’s capital city. Saint John has been plagued by environmental issues for decades. Its strong industrial sector has led to problems, including air and water pollution.

Students participated in a variety of events, including an outdoor stations of the cross, a guided bus tour of Saint John, faith workshops and a Mass with Saint John Bishop Robert Harris.

Campuses also exchanged ideas on how to strengthen their campus ministries through different approaches including advertising and evangelization.

The CCSA held its Annual General Meeting and elected the 2011 student executive council. They are: Chris O’Hara, David Thurton, Julia Bolzon, Anna Weber, Katrina Laquian and Stephanie Kelly. These six students will organize next year’s three regional conferences which will take place in eastern, western and central Canada.

(Kelly, 20, is a journalism student at St. Thomas University.)