Youth Speak News

{mosimage}From the conception of the Catholic Church to the present day, Christians have existed as a proud, yet humble people, full of courage and hope. Thousands died for Christ throughout the ages, be it in battles fought over the Holy Land, or in the merciless and bloody persecutions of tyrants and unjust empires.

{mosimage}TORONTO - Michael Scaffidi placed first in the sixth annual Friars' Student Writing Award contest for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from Jan. 20 to 27.

Pain. Loss. Injustice. In these situations some common questions we ask are what is the cause of my misery? Why do corrupt people seem to gain the greatest rewards like success and wealth, while practiSing Christian believers appear to suffer? I frequently read the Old Testament, particularly the story of Job, because it holds the answers to these questions. 

Are you busy? I usually am. Who isn’t these days? We seem to become too busy sometimes. We try to do lots of good, to the point that we forget what’s important. It brings to mind Jesus’ words to Martha about occupying herself with minor things.

{mosimage}VANCOUVER - When Celine Leigh consecrated herself to Jesus through Mary two years ago, she found herself part of a union of Roman Catholics who share in the spiritual graces through Mary’s intercession and provision.

{mosimage}A celebrated child rights advocate, dynamic speaker and New York Times best-selling author, Craig Kielburger is a testament to the power of youth engagement.

My favourite holiday is Christmas and because I'm Ukrainian Catholic I celebrate it on Jan. 7 instead of Dec. 25.

{mosimage}Kayla Cornale has gone from being her younger cousin Lorena’s hero to hero in the eyes of the global community. The 17-year-old was featured on CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute aired live globally on Dec. 6 from the American Museum of Natural History in New York for creating a learning program using music to help autistic children communicate called Sounds into Syllables. 

One event that I always look forward to during the Advent season is the blessing of the Nativity scene at my parish, St. Justin Martyr in Unionville, Ont. Every year, before the lighting, parishioners gather outside, in front of the manger, to sing Christmas carols. The nativity scene is blessed with holy water and then lit. This is the true meaning of Christmas for me, as I get to congregate and celebrate the season with my fellow parishioners and my family and reflect on the Nativity. But other people might argue against that.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Students, newly arrived refugees and guests chatted over platefuls of chicken, lasagna and vegetables inside St. Marcellinus Secondary School’s dimly lit auditorium while live piano music floated through the air. This was the scene during the fifth annual Christmas Refugee Dinner held Nov. 29.