Youth Speak News

Back to school shopping looks a bit different this year and a Toronto high school teacher wants to make sure every student in the GTA has what they need to stay safe in a time of pandemic.

The sun glistens across the calming blue water of Lake Erie. A bronze Mass bell rings loudly. Dozens of young girls soar out of cabins to enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast before engaging in hiking, drama, sports, crafts and, at the end of the day, a roaring campfire.

Katie Heximer knows the majestic sound of a symphony or the melodic mixture of chords can quickly captivate an audience. But the co-singer and songwriter for the Christian band 90 n’ 9 finds greater power in writing or singing lyrics that reflect life’s journey and can be offered to God as a prayer. 

The days of living-room Mass, celebrated while still in pyjamas, are no longer the only option as churches have slowly re-opened for public services. 

When COVID-19 necessitated the shut down of schools for months, Canadian educators were forced to reinvent their course delivery on the fly.   

The coronavirus is playing havoc with pretty well every aspect of operations at St. Francis Table which feeds those in need in Toronto’s west end.

The constant challenge of giving today’s youth a Catholic upbringing is being met head on by an online website for Seton Home Study School students called Catholic Harbor (CH). 

Computer screens and Zoom calls have become the new operation zone for the university student missionary organization Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO).

Even when the stress, fear and confusion of life continue to pile up, Julia Shannon has uncovered a source of stability and positivity that she can turn to every week.

COVID-19 has shut down schools and halted public rallies, but it couldn’t stop young pro-lifers from supporting their cause at the second Toronto March for Life on May 15.