This summer is a time of change in my life as I move from high school to university. It is also the end of my time as a Youth Speak News reporter. As I begin my new journey in life, it it a good time to reflect on what this past year has meant to me.

Emma Fradd prayed and discerned about her tattoo for six months before she ever walked into a tattoo parlour. 

WASHINGTON – A group of young Catholic writers, intellectuals, and activists released an open letter Aug. 8 calling for an independent investigation into the alleged crimes of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick. The letter also calls Catholic leaders to recommit themselves to the Church’s teaching on sexuality.

Holy Trinity Parish is definitely not in Kansas anymore. 

OTTAWA – The federal government now faces five federal court legal challenges by private businesses against the Canada Summer Jobs pro-abortion attestation requirement.

Catholics across the Archdiocese of Toronto are being asked to support an ongoing protest against the pro-abortion Canada Summer Jobs attestation with their voices and their wallets.

On June 1, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada held a national event that many of today’s young people would find highly challenging: spending one hour away from their smartphones.

Joel Recouso doesn’t really drink, but he’s glad he came to the Firkin on Bay pub on June 9. Over beer and bar food, pro-life young people from across southern Ontario gathered to celebrate. 

Pope Francis often cozies up to young admirers as they raise their smartphones to snap selfies.  But it seems he may be having second thoughts about humouring the selfie generation.

Sixteen-year-old Justin Alvarado has practice every day after school during the cross-country and track-and-field seasons. He is also a member of the FC Emery soccer club, with practices two to three times a week. 

ROME – While taking selfies can be an occasion to capture treasured memories, it can also be a sign that young men and women are deprived of meaningful human interaction with others, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN – The Catholic Church must not keep young men and women at a distance, but instead must learn to listen to them, Pope Francis said.

Correction: A previous version of the story stated Matt Pascuzzo said the attestation came as a result of anti-abortion campaigners who used the jobs funding to aggressively campaign for criminal code sanctions on abortion. Pascuzzo did not make the statement. 

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Agencies rejected for Canada Summer Jobs grants because they won’t tick the pro-abortion attestation box are scrambling to come up with private funds to cover the summertime services they provide to the poor.

VATICAN – The Catholic Church wants to listen to young people and know where they are coming from, but young Catholics must be ready to listen to Jesus and discover where he wants to lead them, Pope Francis said.

WARSAW, Poland – Growing poverty among young people across Europe is impeding access to fundamental rights and intensifying feelings of injustice and hopelessness, a new report warns.