Summit invites youth to be sent

Canada’s capital will play host to its first Youth Summit this month, taking the torch from Quebec City which started hosting the youth gatherings in 2005.

The bilingual event in Ottawa May 21-24 promises to draw up to 500 young adults, ages 17-35, who will participate in activities and events centred around the theme “Sent!”

According to organizers, the theme is meant to bring participants to reflect on their personal role “as missionaries in today’s Church, particularly amidst other young adults.”

“The goal is that the youth can learn to live their faith and to live an active faith,” said summit co-ordinator Geneviève Fortin.

The event was originally meant to help prepare youth for the Eucharistic Congress which took place in 2008. But continued interest sparked last year’s event which focused on missionary work and comes to Ontario for the first time at the invitation of Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J.

Events will include the sacraments, workshops on up to 24 different topics, missionary outreach in the Byward Market and a eucharistic procession from Saint-Joseph Cathedral in Gatineau-Hull to Notre Dame Cathedral in Ottawa with a stop on Parliament Hill for intercessory prayer.

A concert, open to the public for $15, will feature Catholic music artist Matt Maher, Quebec folk/country band Châkidor and performances by the Chorale Gospel Outaouais.

Youth can register for the Youth Summit until May 7 by downloading the online registration form at www.youthsummit.ca/en/registration.

For more information call Fortin at (613) 738-5025 ext. 229.