Youth Speak News

As a privileged youth never wanting for food, I got a taste of what the underprivileged experienced during a 24-hour “starve-a-thon” at my school in November. It was a life-changing experience.

We hoped that through our efforts we would be able to make a difference by helping in some small way to end world hunger.

Fasting and reflecting with my friends made me realize how much I have to be thankful for: food, shelter, family and friends. For us, resources are so readily available we take them for granted. At times during the starve-a-thon, I found myself feeling extremely hungry — I could have eaten anything. And that was after just 24 hours.

Being hungry helped me understand that 24 hours is only a short time compared to the lifetime that many people are left to go hungry. Despite this, we too often criticize our blessings, unhappy with what we have. It’s not until something is taken from us, such as food, that we realize life’s difficulties and acknowledge how incredibly lucky we are.

Vancouver - The Green Team, a new environmental club at St. Patrick Regional Secondary School in Vancouver, is giving students the opportunity to let the environment take centre stage.

Grade 11 students Veronika Bylicki and Grace Wicken founded the environmental club in September to help the students become more aware of environmental issues that surround them and encourage them to take action in their local community.

“As Catholics we should be stewards taking care of the Earth and of God’s creation,” said Bylicki.

The two co-founders felt that a club of this kind was needed.

TORONTO - As part of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace’s year-long campaign against the privatization of water, Catholic high schools in the archdiocese of Toronto are working to create “bottled water free zones” within their schools.

Themed “Water for All: Let Justice Flow,” the kick-off for the campaign in schools took place over three student workshop days held in November for more than 400 students in the Greater Toronto Area. Since then, schools have started to take action.

“The idea is to create a culture where students don’t bring bottled water or use bottled water even though they may have the right,” said Luke Stocking, Central Ontario Animator for Development and Peace.

What came first, the chicken or the egg? I am sure everyone has heard this question and attempted to tackle it — and always been unsuccessful in the end.

As scientific and technological advancements continue in the modern world, our religious beliefs and values are often challenged.

As Catholics, we can find ourselves torn between religion and science, but it is possible to reach a consensus. 

Looking at different viewpoints about how the world came into being highlights why this schism exists.

TORONTO - For Lucy Schmidt, getting involved in the faith groups available on campus at Toronto’s University of St. Michael’s College has made her university experience incredible.

A second-year student at the Catholic college on the University of Toronto campus, Schmidt stays busy outside the classroom as president of the university’s pro-life club, a member of the liturgical choir, part of campus chaplaincy and an Out of the Cold program co-ordinator.

“Choosing a Catholic university adds a whole different level to your university experience,” said Schmidt, a Christianity and Culture major in the concurrent education program. “I know when students are applying they’re thinking about their academic experience but a huge part of it is student life. And a huge part of student life is growing in faith and finding like-minded people who can help you do that.”

For 14 years, I was fortunate to receive a free education in a Catholic environment.

But with no Catholic post-secondary institution in the Greater Toronto Area offering my program of choice, after high school I’ve had to further my studies in a public university.

As my first semester at university comes to an end, it’s evident to me how big a change it has been — but one that is not for the worse. Though my faith is no longer entrenched in my daily schedule at school, I now have the freedom to explore, practise and claim my faith as an adult.

As Catholics, it is important that we take the time to thank God and acknowledge His presence in our daily lives.

TORONTO - Classes can be several minutes walking distance from each other at the University of Toronto. During this time, Emily VanBerkum, a third-year Christianity and Culture student, doesn’t just walk — she makes time for God.

“One way I incorporate God in my day is by saying my daily prayers on the way to class or before class starts. Nothing fancy or formal, just me talking to God,” said VanBerkum.

As a teenager, I was always really careful when praying to the saints. I had some friends who would always use the argument that praying to the saints is the same as worshipping them. I knew this wasn’t true, but I always played it safe, never really saying more than, “Saint so and so, pray for me.” While there was nothing wrong with this, I never allowed them to bring me closer to Jesus.

TORONTO - For the past decade, the University of St. Michael’s College Liturgical Choir has performed its traditional Christmas concert in front of an audience on campus. But this year, instead of the campus coming to them, the choir went out to the campus.

On Dec. 7, 13 members of the choir, joined by about five non-member students and chaplain Fr. Jim Murphy, travelled around the college singing carols. During its hour-long Christmas Carolling Service, the group toured the buildings, residences and lounges at the college, gathering more and more recruits as it sang both classic and modern songs including “The Holly and the Ivy” and Godspell’s “Light of the World.”

TORONTO - This Christmas, high schools in Toronto are doing their part to spread Christmas cheer in the city.

At St. Michael’s Choir School, students have been using their voices throughout the month to spread the Christmas message.

On Dec. 2, about 60 students performed a benefit concert at a toy drive run by the Toronto Firefighters at the Shops at Don Mills. And on Dec. 15, a student benefit choir sang for patients at Sunnybrook Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children to make patients’ holidays a little bit happier.