Speaking Out
Faith after flying the coop
By Clare Bekkers, Youth Speak NewsWhen I was eight, one of my friends made a statement that baffled me: she didn’t know any of her cousins. Growing up, I had this precon-ceived notion that everyone had a large family, and every Sunday my peers, like me, would go to church, walk down to their grand-parents’ house afterwards for brunch and play with their cousins long into the afternoon.
Faith rescues
By James Mangaliman, Youth Speak NewsFollowing a traumatic injury and several surgeries, a friend I had once known to be free-spirited came out of the hospital a different person. He was healed physically but, mentally, he was far from fine. He called me one night as I was working on a school assignment. All notions of a quick conversation dropped when his shaky voice collapsed into a cry for help.
Nuns’ radical love
By Emma Kendrick, Youth Speak NewsChicago’s Michigan Avenue was alive with spirit, laughter and heart on the last weekend of July. While the rock festival Lollapalooza drew many tourists to Chicago, for me and other young women, Nunapalooza took centre stage. The annual Come and See weekend retreat, hosted by the Daughters of St. Paul, was held on the same weekend and in the same city as the music festival, but it called young women to come together for a different purpose: to better know God.
Prayer in motion
By Ruane Remy, The Catholic RegisterI looked over at Santos, my dance instructor; he was pouring sweat. I prayed to God I didn’t look the same. The sun was beating down on us and on the blacktop roof where we danc ed salsa. We were at Hav an a Nights, one of the parties Santos and his crew hosted in the summer, bringing a taste of Cuba to Toronto. Our backdrop: the downtown skyline.
A holistic love
By Andrew Thies, Youth Speak NewsWhen a friend broke up with her long-time boyfriend, I asked her what she would do next. She replied, “I need to take some alone time and figure myself out.” An admirable thing to do, especially right after breaking up with the boyfriend.
Meeting God at Steubenville
By Lovely Juson, Youth Speak NewsI had the honour of attending the very first Steubenville Conference in Toronto. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but as the weekend unfolded it was evident this wasn’t going to be an ordinary youth conference and that I was about to be changed spiritually. Together with young people from all over Ontario, I came face to face with God.
Summer lovin’
By Virginia Mervar, Youth Speak NewsSchool is finally out, and with the beach, the sun and all the adventure plans, it’s the perfect time for some sweet summer lovin’. However, summer romances tend to be about feeling good and having fun instead of authentic love.
A modern-day debutante
By Melissa Oro, Youth Speak NewsPeople say age is just a number, but the number 18 screams “stepping into adulthood.” In the Filipino tradition, the tradition of my family, when a young lady turns 18, it’s a huge celebration, which is popularly known as a “debut.”
Seeking with hopes of finding
By Michael Chen, Youth Speak NewsIt’s June and I’m headed towards my final year in university. Rather than simply enjoying my summer like my peers, I’m looking at my options.
Morality extends to Mother Earth
By Lovely Juson, Youth Speak NewsAs the long winter days finally come to an end, I welcome the arrival of spring. Flowers are in blossom, leaves have reappeared on trees and our surroundings are starting to be filled with beautiful shades of green — just in time for World Environment Day.