It was mid-April when I had my first Friday night off work since the beginning of September.

Victoria Day, which falls on May 22 this year, is much beloved by Canadians, though we suspect the reasons have less to do with paying tribute to the British monarch than enjoying its accompanying long weekend.

“Okay din si Duterte! (Duterte is alright!),” my dad said in approval. Gathered at the dinner table, talk of the boorish Filipino president peppered our family meal.

Recently, a friend of mine told me about a conversation she had with a classmate at college. To make a long story short, the topic of abortion came up and once this classmate realized my friend was pro-life, she started to get angry.

I am a product of the Catholic education system and if you were to ask me what I learned in high school I would tell you I didn’t learn enough about my faith.

I am almost completely removed from nature in my daily life. I don’t have to worry about where my water is coming from and the food I eat is easily accessible at the supermarket. My life, and the lives of my family and friends, are not in any immediate danger because of global warming.

He is risen! Truly, He is risen! We have just begun our celebration of the most incredible miracle of all time — the miracle of Easter.

It has been one year since Amoris Laetitia was released and Pope Francis’ apostolic letter remains just as relevant today.

What are you doing to leave a mark on this Earth?

Every so often, I get questioning looks directed at the cross hanging from my neck. Sometimes, people are curious to know what that wooden symbol means.