Youth Speak News

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,” reads the Gospel of John. While this opening verse will always be true, I wonder what John would have to say about taking the Word and, well, texting it.

That was the challenge I embarked on this Lenten season with the “Texting through Lent” calendar. Designed as a daily devotional calendar for teens and young adults, it attempts to incorporate various multimedia devices, especially cellphones, into Lenten reflections. When I saw this calendar hanging in the walls of my former high school, I knew it was a challenge I had to accept.

A simple classroom book study opened my eyes to the true essence of the Catholic faith: a yearning for effective and virtuous living.

Although the popular book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People included few references to Christianity or Catholicism, the relation to better Catholic living was clear — and further opened my eyes to the values of the Catholic faith.

The habits say the ultimate goal for an individual is to develop from dependence to interdependence, where one can work harmoniously in a co-operative environment.  It says we must be proactive and share a common vision.

In the early 20th century, Gilbert Keith Chesterton was writing books and articles on subjects as diverse as literary criticism and morality. Today, the Catholic community continues to hold his works in high regard, with his books Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man, among others, credited with the successful conversion of many new Catholics.

In The Young Chesterton Chronicles, author John McNichol provides a fictional account of Chesterton’s teenage life. Written for young readers, the series re-imagines Chesterton’s teenage years and personal struggles as he developed in the Catholic faith. While the first book, When Tripods Attack! dealt with Chesterton’s discovery and subsequent conversion into Catholicism, its sequel, The Emperor of North America, deals with an issue that affects all Catholic youth: the faith crisis. Along the way, McNichol takes readers on an action-packed ride that includes flying assassins, priests who know martial arts and an arena battle with a steam-powered robot crab.

Jerome is a young man with post-traumatic stress disorder who attempts to cope by self-medicating with marijuana. Diana is suffering from depression and has low self-esteem. And Melanie is a youth caregiver whose mother has schizophrenia.

These are a few of the characters in performances by Elevated Grounds, an organization that uses song, dance, drama, music and spoken word to educate and bust the stigma surrounding mental health.

“We are hoping to show the stresses and issues that affect mental health are present in the everyday life of young people and the important thing is to become aware of these stresses and seek help,” said Leyland Gudge, Elevated Grounds’ program manager, mentor and elder.

TORONTO - For the 15th year in a row Canadian and American youths joined together for a day of love, laughter and lifting the Lord higher in their hearts.

Held on March 3 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this year’s Lift Jesus Higher Youth Rally combined loud music, modern technology and religious testimony, all in an attempt to engage the 1,300 in attendance.

The youth rally was just one aspect of the annual Lift Jesus Higher Rally. It also caters to adults, and this year had to turn people away at the door because it was at capacity.

Corinthians tells us we should treat our bodies with respect because they are temples of the Holy Spirit given to us from God.

According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation, approximately one-third of normal weight 20-year-olds will become overweight within eight years. So, with that in mind, I wonder why more of us don’t treat our bodies with the respect they deserve?

God had a different plan in store for the Faith Connections’ Snowshoe & Prayer event and its 18 young adult participants held on Feb. 25 at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ont. Due to the warm weather, and the lack of snow, the event was changed to Hike & Prayer.

The event is a unique way for participants to continue along their Catholic journey, said Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt, Faith Connections’ program director.

TORONTO - Young people today often have misconceptions of what a Catholic should be and it is up to the older generation to show them what the faith truly means, said Sr. Inmaculada.

Sr. Inmaculada, 28, is one of the driving forces behind this year’s youth weekend hosted by the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE). This annual event on March 10-11 offers opportunities for Catholics, both lay and religious, to share their faith experiences with youth through talks about topics ranging from sexuality to theology to the sacraments along with fellowship, games and sports.

HALIFAX, N.S. - Catholic youth took to the streets Feb. 10 to spread a fever. A Nightfever, that is.

Held for the first time in North America, more than 135 people took part in Nightfever Halifax, with at least 70 to 80 people coming in off the streets, said Chris O’Hara, president of the Canadian Catholic Students’ Association.

The seven deadly sins plague people every day.

Whether it is lust, greed, wrath, envy, gluttony, sloth or pride, Catholic youth need to do their best to overcome them. 

To do this, the seven cardinal virtues of temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, chastity and humility can be helpful.