Youth Speak News
Six Canadian youth of different faiths have helped the Tony Blair Faith Foundation to reach its $5-million , 500,000 malaria nets goal. These six Faiths Act Fellows based in Toronto and Montreal were part of Canada’s inaugural Faiths Act Fellowship launched by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core. The interfaith initiative paired 30 young Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs and Humanists and was designed to show that when people of different religions work together to achieve the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, they can have a crucial role in reducing conflict and saving lives. The students spent the past 10 months building multi-faith relationships by encouraging different faith communities to work together to raise funds and awareness to tackle malaria and other global issues.
Youth writers gather for development, faith
By Carolyn Girard, The Catholic Register
The Catholic Register played host to its Youth Speak News correspondents in Toronto for a weekend of professional development, faith deepening and fun May 28-30. Writers on this year’s team made their way to Toronto from as far away as St. John’s, Nfld., and Saskatoon, and from various cities across Eastern Ontario to deepen their knowledge of Catholic media in Canada.
Looking to Mother Mary
By Ann Chazhoor, Youth Speak News
While May was the month of our blessed Mother Mary, there are still many reasons to keep her in mind at the start of this new month and for the rest of our lives.
I grew up in a strong Catholic family, and my mother always emphasized the importance of our Mother in heaven. But I had never taken the time to develop that relationship with Mary any further than was necessary.
I grew up in a strong Catholic family, and my mother always emphasized the importance of our Mother in heaven. But I had never taken the time to develop that relationship with Mary any further than was necessary.
Three dioceses, one goal
By Catherine Richard, Youth Speak News
Winnipeg - The last time a Tri-Diocesan Youth Rally came to Winnipeg, the city was recovering from what is now called the “Flood of the Century.” There was another flood in Winnipeg on May 14, only it wasn’t with water — it was with 700 enthusiastic 10 and 11 year old who assembled to celebrate their faith. “(The Tri-Diocesan Youth Rallies) have been a part of our history and we wanted to keep it going,” said Elisabeth Duggan, the director of youth ministry for the archdiocese of Winnipeg. Duggan was one of three hosts and organizers of the event, along with Pierre St. Amant and Tamara Lisowski, the directors of youth ministry for the archdiocese St. Boniface and the archeparchy of Winnipeg.
Love found in Chicoutimi
By Brunelle Lewis, Youth Speak News
For the past week or so, I’ve been living in an alternate reality — one common to many but foreign to me. I find myself writing now in a different room, a different house, a different city, a different province.
To expand my understanding of the world’s many cultures, I decided to start at home and learn French. I have chosen to spend my summer in the small town of Chicoutimi, Que., in a French immersion program, where English is completely off limits. I am to speak (and write) only in French for the five weeks that I am here, while meeting new people, visiting new places and residing with a new family.
To expand my understanding of the world’s many cultures, I decided to start at home and learn French. I have chosen to spend my summer in the small town of Chicoutimi, Que., in a French immersion program, where English is completely off limits. I am to speak (and write) only in French for the five weeks that I am here, while meeting new people, visiting new places and residing with a new family.
Christian-Jewish student group embraces Muslim peers
By Scott Mair, Youth Speak News
LONDON, ONT. - A youth organization that has dedicated itself to promoting positive dialogue between Catholics and Jews is now doing the same with the Muslim community.The Centre for Catholic Jewish Learning, an organization established to improve Catholic-Jewish relations at King’s University College in London, changed its name to the Centre for Jewish Catholic Muslim Learning (CJCML) this year.
Battling indifference
By Natasha Milavec, Youth Speak News
Recently, I heard a powerful message at school from a pro-life speaker named Nicole. She said that if a private pro-life stance was all it took to abolish abortion, then it could be achieved. Unfortunately, this is not enough, and so we are all called to be publicly pro-life.
I felt that in many ways I am already publicly pro-life. I defend the unborn when debates break out in class. I proudly attended a pro-life symposium held at another high school. However, Nicole’s message instilled in me a desire to raise more awareness of the gruesome reality of abortion.
I felt that in many ways I am already publicly pro-life. I defend the unborn when debates break out in class. I proudly attended a pro-life symposium held at another high school. However, Nicole’s message instilled in me a desire to raise more awareness of the gruesome reality of abortion.
Life is a musical and everyone's a star
By Catherine Richard, Youth Speak News
About a month ago, my little sister Anna found out that she got the leading role in the musical Annie. Her initial reaction? At first, Anna said nothing, then she screamed (with joy), and then she ran to every bedroom in the house — it was seven o’clock in the morning — and told everybody what happened.
Her reaction was really quite commonplace for a 10-year-old — natural, actually. But as ordinary as it may have seemed, Anna hit on a life-truth that day. I think Shakespeare alluded to it when he penned the famous line, “All the world’s a stage...”
Her reaction was really quite commonplace for a 10-year-old — natural, actually. But as ordinary as it may have seemed, Anna hit on a life-truth that day. I think Shakespeare alluded to it when he penned the famous line, “All the world’s a stage...”
OCY honours outstanding youth leaders
By Carolyn Girard, The Catholic Register
MARKHAM, Ont. - Catholic youth leadership is alive and well in the archdiocese of Toronto. The Office of Catholic Youth’s yearly banquet highlighted Catholic leadership, and gave a video look into the lives of six phenomenal young leaders from parishes throughout the archdiocese to the record crowd of 550.
Students prepare weekly for annual March for Life
By Brunelle Lewis, Youth Speak News
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Leading up to the annual March for Life in Ottawa, youth from across the country spend months busily preparing themselves for the event. And when they return home, the issue remains for many a priority.
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School in Mississauga, a group of enthusiastic students was among the thousands of Catholic students who prepared for the annual pilgrimage, which took place May 13. Students who attend the March usually come back to share their experience and newfound knowledge with their peers. The school organized its first trip for the rally last year after history teacher Paul Medeiros inspired a class with a discussion comparing abortion to a modern Holocaust.
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School in Mississauga, a group of enthusiastic students was among the thousands of Catholic students who prepared for the annual pilgrimage, which took place May 13. Students who attend the March usually come back to share their experience and newfound knowledge with their peers. The school organized its first trip for the rally last year after history teacher Paul Medeiros inspired a class with a discussion comparing abortion to a modern Holocaust.
The gift of a retreat
By Shona Assang, The Catholic Register
Last month, I got the greatest gift I never knew I needed: a break from my worries. As I went on my Grade 12 retreat, the reality set in that it would be my last high school-sponsored retreat before I head off to university. But it also ended up being one of the best.
When we arrived at Shadow Lake Outdoor Education Centre in Stouffville, Ont., we were met with a great view of the lake, a great sparkling blue gem surrounded by a thick, lush forest full of evergreen trees. The day consisted of fun activities that helped strengthen our spiritual relationships with Christ. It was relaxing and made me feel at ease, a place where we felt we could push busy thoughts out of mind.
When we arrived at Shadow Lake Outdoor Education Centre in Stouffville, Ont., we were met with a great view of the lake, a great sparkling blue gem surrounded by a thick, lush forest full of evergreen trees. The day consisted of fun activities that helped strengthen our spiritual relationships with Christ. It was relaxing and made me feel at ease, a place where we felt we could push busy thoughts out of mind.