Speaking Out
I jogged on the spot and glanced nervously around waiting to be called up to fight. It was my first Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament, and I was terrified. I had started training in this grappling martial art less than a year earlier. I was full of fear, doubt and worry, scared of letting my team down and disappointing my family.
Struggles of a student evangelist
By Clare Bekkers, Youth Speak NewsHow educating others on Catholicism can refresh one’s faith
Catholics reclaim sacred Scripture
By Chanelle Robinson, Youth Speak NewsAs a young girl, I would sometimes accompany my grandmother to church on Sunday, which always meant attending Sunday school. I always looked forward to Sunday school because the lessons were centred on Bible stories and candies were awarded for memorizing Bible verses. In my youth, believing was joyful and it always included the Bible.
First encounter with the ‘Final Embrace’
By Augustine Ng, Youth Speak NewsOn Oct. 20, I visited the World Press Photo exhibit at Brookfield Place in Toronto. The exhibition had prize-winning photographs assembled by World Press Photo, the organizers of “the world’s largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest.” As an amateur photographer, I went looking for inspiration. I received so much more than that.
Coming home to Catholicism
By Bianca Reátegui, Youth Speak NewsI wasn’t in the habit of regularly going to church until five years ago. I was bored by the Mass as a child and found very little reason to attend if I could help it. As a pre-teen, I openly resisted Christianity. I rarely went to church in those years of adolescent angst. Even when my parents dragged me to church, I felt uhappy to be there.
Remembering Fr. Michael Mireau
By Anastasia Holleman, Youth Speak NewsOn Sept. 22, former Edmonton Catholic School District chaplain Fr. Michael “Catfish” Mireau passed away after an extensive struggle with a rare form of cancer. He was 42 years old.
Faith still food for the stage
By Vincent Mastromatteo, Youth Speak NewsTORONTO - I expected much worse when I sat down recently to watch The Book of Mormon musical at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre.
A call for community
By James Mangaliman, Youth Speak NewsIt has been a month since recent high school graduates like me began their lives outside of the walls of high school. Be it post-secondary education or the workplace, beginning a new chapter in life is like moving away from a place you once called home. The “real world” — that is, the people and culture outside of your home — is seemingly heedless.
Life with atheists
By Kathleen Rose Kennedy, Youth Speak News“Why are you busy Sunday morning?” my high school friends would ask. “Oh, I have Church,” I would reply.
Living and loving the single life
By Chanelle Robinson, Youth Speak NewsWhile watching a sappy reality dating show a few years ago, the TV host made a statement that stuck with me: “Are you always the bridesmaid and never the bride?”
Grim prospects for graduates
By Meredith Gillis, Youth Speak NewsA recent study by the Council of Ontario Universities paints a rosy picture of post-graduate life. Within two years of graduating, 93 per cent of graduates are employed and the average salary for someone working full-time is just under $50,000.