Youth Speak News

{mosimage}TORONTO - The Canadian committee of the World Youth Alliance marked its recent inception by hosting speakers Feb. 27 on the topic of refugees, immigrants and multiculturalism in Canada.

The World Youth Alliance, based in New York City, is an international body of youth promoting human dignity at the United Nations and in communities around the globe. The conference was the third of its kind — similar conferences were held in 2008 and 2009 in Ottawa and New York City — but the first planned and executed by an organized Canadian committee.

{mosimage}Editor’s note: This is the second place entry for the Friars Student Writing Award contest sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and The Catholic Register. Katie Gillis, 18, is a Grade 12 student at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Ont.

“You are witnesses to these things” (Luke 24:48).

This Scripture passage is the guideline for what we, as Christians, are being called to do. God has been calling us to love one another since the start of time. One could argue this is our vocation which we are meant to fulfill throughout our lifetime. Whether young or old, all people of God are called to love one another as they want to be loved, and treat one another as they wish to be treated.

As an impatient child who wasn’t very fond of standing out in the hot weather, I absolutely loathed waiting in line for amusement park rides. Not only would the most obnoxious kids be the first ones in line, but the smaller children who weren’t even old enough to ride would cut though people’s legs and get further in front.

My mother told me it was rude to cut in line so I was forced to reluctantly wait my turn in the face of a cruel childhood injustice. While I was waiting, I glanced in front of me to see how many people were left. There were about eight million. Unsatisfied, I turned around to look behind and was shocked to find that the number of people waiting was much greater.

{mosimage}Editor’s note: This is the winning entry for the Friars essay contest.

After Jesus rose from the dead and made Himself known to His disciples in Jerusalem, He gave them a mission that He invites us to partake in as well. We, too, need to tell the truth and we are called to do it joyfully.   

When Jesus appeared to His disciples He allowed them to hear His voice, see His body and touch His wounds. By engaging in this intimate verification of their Lord, the disciples realized that their beloved teacher was in their midst. With Jesus’ appearance, they not only became witnesses to the Resurrection, they became witnesses to the truth of Jesus’ entire life and ministry. All He has told them is true.  Jesus said, “You are witnesses to these things.” Jesus meant that the disciples had seen the truth. They were obliged, impelled to tell what they know. Jesus challenged them to do so. By calling the disciples to be witnesses, Jesus united them together in Himself.

{mosimage}Sarah Robinson of Port Dover, Ont., has taken first prize in the eighth annual Friars’ Student Writing Award contest for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Grade 11 student from Holy Trinity Catholic School was awarded an iPod touch for her essay that focused on the biblical passage “You are witnesses to these things.”

“For those who participated, it does send them back to the Scripture which is an important experience for the youth of today, and it’s one of the goals the archbishop has cited for Catholic education,” said Fr. Damian MacPherson, SA, director for ecumenical and interfaith affairs for the archdiocese of Toronto.”

When I tell people that I’m an aspiring male feminist, they can’t help but raise their eyebrows. Their surprise is understandable, but I’ve always thought it a little uninformed. What they don’t understand is what constitutes feminism in the first place and how men can contribute.

Amid cultural confusion, the feminist movement is mistakenly identified with reactionary ideas. The feminist movement is more than a reactionary cause, but is usually identified as such because of the way it’s been overtaken by secular values.

{mosimage}With Bill C-384 slated for a second hour of debate once Parliament resumes, students are joining in the fight to prevent the passage of a bill that would legalize euthanasia in Canada.

Nathan Welch is one such student. Welch lives in London, Ont., and studies social work at the University of Western Ontario. He is a leader in his campus pro-life club.

{mosimage}During the mid-1800s, Italian priest Fr. John Bosco was determined to get youth to come into deeper communion with Jesus Christ.

Bosco put on elaborate shows and performed acrobatics like juggling and tightrope walking. After wowing them with his  feats, he would share the Gospel with youth, touching their hearts and changing their lives.

Valentine’s Day always brings a plethora of images to my mind. The first is a picture of a bishop, ministering to young couples through the streets of third-century Italy — though, I have to admit, I didn’t know it was third century Italy I was imagining until I read more about St. Valentine.

As I was reading, I was surprised to find that we know so little about this saint except his name and that he was buried beside a road leading to Rome on Feb. 14.

{mosimage}OTTAWA  - Youth from across the Ottawa archdiocese gathered for the second annual Don Bosco Awards Gala Jan. 30 to honour those who answer the call to live passionately through Christ daily.

Eight of the youth leaders, described as having gone above and beyond the call of youth ministry, were given special recognition at the event.