The Catholic Register - Cornerstone: fun faith formation

Written by Carine Lee, Youth Speak News,

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VANCOUVER - More than 50 youth spent their Friday evening on Sept. 28 in the basement of St. Mary’s Church in Vancouver for a casual night of fun, entertainment and faith formation. They were attending Cornerstone, a monthly event with praise and worship, skits, testimonies, speakers and fellowship organized by Catholic Christian Outreach, a Catholic university campus lay movement.

The night’s guest speaker was Jeff Graham, a reporter for the B.C. Catholic newspaper, who shared his enthusiasm for his faith.

Over more than 30 minutes, Graham told funny, thought-provoking and inspirational real-life stories of Catholics from all walks of life who have unconsciously integrated evangelization into their everyday lives.

Graham believes that with millions of Catholics around the world, “we’ve got it going on.” He said Catholics are the largest pool of volunteers at events such as the Olympics, and suggested the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will be a good time for Catholics to evangelize.

“Imagine, thousands of Catholics ushering millions of athletes,” said Graham.

In the meantime, he urged young people to work on their personal faith formation by attending Catholic Christian Outreach organized programs.

“Catch the vision and live passionately for Him,” said Graham.

The lay movement has ministries in universities and colleges across Canada and organizes on-campus activities catered to youth. The group facilitates weekly faith studies on campus to help students come to know Jesus and integrate the values of good discipleship into daily living.

First time Cornerstone attendee Karen Tang, 20, said, “I’ve always wanted to know about Jesus, but didn’t know how to go about doing it. I was even shy about asking.”

The third-year commerce student at the University of British Columbia added that she is glad there are programs like Cornerstone available for her to find out more about the Catholic faith.

“It is a non-intimidating way of getting to know Jesus and making new friends.”

(Lee, 21, studies communications at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.)

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