Youth Speak News
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Hawthorn School for Girls sent its first team of students to Peru over the March break to get their hands dirty and learn about partnering with the locals.
The Toronto independent school’s trip was inspired by a presentation given by alumnus Kristina Douros last year, then a 24-year-old student at the University of Western Ontario who spent nearly four months in 2008 volunteering with Condoray, a 47-year-old rural development project.
Condoray, a training centre devoted to human, social and religious development and promotion of women in the Cañete Valley of southern Peru, is a centre for higher learning where villagers can learn how to be “promoters” of growth and improvement and then implement these in their own communities. The spiritual and religious activities of Condoray are overseen by the Prelature of Opus Dei.
“The remarkable aspect of Condoray is that it is run by Peruvian women for Peruvian women,” Douros said. “These women know the needs of the people, they have lived it and are still living it. The leaders live in the communities and many of their children are very involved.”
The issues targeted are not projected by outsiders who do not fully understand the situation and this is why Condoray is so successful, Douros added.
Showing faith on Palm Sunday
By Natasha Milavec, Youth Speak NewsTORONTO-“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This quote, from Mark 10:17, is the theme for World Youth Day 2010, and helped set the mood at the archdiocesan Palm Sunday event at St. Paul’s Basilica and St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto March 27.
Hosted by the Office of Catholic Youth and in its eighth year, the event consisted of about 30 volunteers, and averages around 400-500 participants annually.
The event began at St. Paul’s Basilica with praise and worship songs. Susan HooKong-Taylor and Ana Da Costa, who wrote and performed “Song of the Cross” for Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day 2002, delivered lively music for the crowd. Da Costa said it is “very hopeful that youth are gathered here today.”
After much clapping and joyful singing, Archbishop Thomas Collins delivered a catechesis on integrity, hypocrisy and reconciliation. Collins ended by answering the question that the theme poses, saying that to inherit eternal life we must live with integrity and show forgiveness to others.
Dinner with archbishop gives Newfoundland youth spiritual hope
By Philip Lynch, Youth Speak News{mosimage}ST. JOHN’S, Nfld.-On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in March, Archbishop Martin Currie of St. John’s met with a group of young adults for “Dinner with the Archbishop” at Mary, Queen of the World parish in Mt. Pearl.
The meeting was an opportunity for the archbishop to get a first-hand look at what’s happening in the spiritual lives of 20- and 30-year-olds in the region.
This informal group consists of individuals from different ministries and fields of interest who, through conversations after Mass beginning two years ago, decided to organize events and activities together. New members continue to join and although it started with just a few people, there are now close to 30.
The archbishop was pleased to discover that such a group existed after being invited by one of the members for this special event. The group wanted to make contact with the leader of the church in Newfoundland on a personal level to discuss plans and ideas for young people in the province.
Positive examples lead students to the faith
By (Natasha Milavec, Youth Speak News“Everybody who goes to Mass, even if they are not Catholic, they say it makes them feel good, feel cleansed,” said Alexa Fitzpatrick, a Grade 11 student who enrolled at St. Marcellinus Secondary School after graduating from a public elementary school.
Helping the Global South through THINKfast
By Ann Chazhoor, Youth Speak NewsThe Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace fast, commonly known as THINKfast, is a growing national initiative.
Canadian youth mission to the Philippines
By Carolyn Girard, The Catholic RegisterThe “Young Adult Solidarity Trip” aims to expose young adults to the reality of the global south and teach first-hand what Development and Peace does through its programs and partners.
Schoenstatt meets Winnipeg
By Catherine Richard, Youth Speak NewsFast forward 96 years.
Taizé continues to inspire
By Faith Goldy, Youth Speak NewsChristians of different traditions celebrated an evening with the music and prayer of Taizé, characterized by short and reflective songs that are repeated in a meditative manner, translated into several different languages.
You are witnesses to these things
By Thien-An Nguyen“You are witnesses to these things” (Luke 24: 48). While some manuscripts unfortunately omit “witness” from their texts, this seven-letter word contains an insight on what it means to be a Christian that St. Luke may not have even perceived. In fact, the term “witness” may be more appropriate now than ever in describing Christianity.
World Youth Alliance active and growing in Canada
By Carolyn Girard, The Catholic RegisterThe 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.
Being a witness for Christ means loving others
By Katie Gillis, Catholic Register Special“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.