Youth Speak News

A statue of St. John Henry Newman stands on the campus of Newman University in Wichita, Kan., just one of many colleges across North America that has incorporated his name and work into their institutions.

In praise of Newman and a liberal arts education

By

Rev. Dr. Peter Gittens, a Toronto School of Theology lecturer, sees first hand the lack of appreciation for the liberal arts which has grown over the past two centuries. He noticed it years ago when teaching at a Catholic school where he saw a lack of focus on theology courses.

St. John Paul II greets throngs of Poles waiting for a glimpse of their native son at the monastery of Jasna Gora in Czestochowa during his 1979 trip to Poland.

Speaking Out: A purposeful interior life

By

It would be impossible to encompass all the ways a Catholic woman could live purposefully in 2020. However, one virtual workshop explained some of the core elements in a six-session thought-provoking series of online talks and seminars. 

The annual murder mystery party organized by Faith Connections and Newman Young Adult Ministry in Toronto is not being cancelled due to COVID-19, but instead reimagined on Oct. 30 as virtual theatre.

Faith Connections offers ministry with virtual twist

By

In a world free from a pandemic’s grasp, the young adult ministry Faith Connections would have a vibrant suite of in-person fellowship and faith formation events slated for the next three to six months.

Blessed Carlo Acutis

Speaking Out: We all can be holy and good

By

A friend of mine shared a Facebook post from a Catholic youth group. He commented: “Finally a saint with a picture with his tongue out and wearing jeans, t-shirt and a sweater. We could possibly have been Facebook friends too.”

Speaking Out: Unprecedented school challenges

Speaking Out: Unprecedented school challenges

By

If there are teachers or students in your life, I urge you to pray for them because this school year is nothing like anything anyone has seen before.

Monica Palacios, left, Pia Ocenar and Theresa Henry were among the 46 young Catholics who spent five weeks at the Sanctum Retreat Centre learning how to become NET Canada missionaries. Health and safety protocols did not dim the orientation experience.

NET ministry resumes in COVID landscape

By

Young adult missionaries with the National Evangelization Teams (NET) Canada are facing a new pandemic-induced reality this year.

Speaking Out: Can an atheist be virtuous?

Speaking Out: Can an atheist be virtuous?

By

Does virtue require faith? If not, can an atheist be a virtuous person? For many Christians, it does not occur to us to ask this question, because some assume that the answer is an immediate “no.”

Young people lead praise and worship at Westminster Abbey for Catholic Street Missionaries’ annual Fast and Pray event.

Street mission fast goes on despite pandemic

By

Vancouver - If this had been a typical year, dozens of young adults from St. Mary’s Parish in Vancouver would have attended Mass on a Friday evening, stayed for adoration, slept overnight at the church, then driven to Mission, B.C., for a talk, prayers and reflection at Westminster Abbey before returning to the parish for Mass and a shared meal.

Mikayla Portelli of Brampton, Ont., donated over $16,000 of health and beauty products to girls in impoverished countries around the world via the Canadian Food for Children warehouse in Mississauga. Portelli, assisted by high school teacher Dennis Buonafede, was spurred into action by the life story of Fides, a young girl from Zambia.

Brampton teen empowers the princess inside girls

By

When 17-year-old Mikayla Portelli visited the Canadian Food for Children (CFFC) warehouse in Mississauga, Ont., with schoolmates in February, two framed pictures of a young girl from Zambia drew her gaze.

Speaking Out: To wear or not to wear rosary

Speaking Out: To wear or not to wear rosary

By

The message of Our Lady of Fatima from a century ago continues to echo today: Pray the rosary every day. Our Lady of Medjugorje has also said we should keep a rosary on us at all times.

Gone — for now — are the days when the Daughters of St. Paul would host Come and See weekends in person, like this one. In a time of COVID, the discernment retreats have gone online.

Religious order takes discernment online

By

COVID-19 has put significant roadblocks in the path of many religious communities and apostolates striving to help young Catholics discover their vocation.

Page 1 of 150