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TORONTO - As part of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace������Ƶapp year-long campaign against the privatization of water, Catholic high schools in the archdiocese of Toronto are working to create “bottled water free zones” within their schools.

Themed “Water for All: Let Justice Flow,” the kick-off for the campaign in schools took place over three student workshop days held in November for more than 400 students in the Greater Toronto Area. Since then, schools have started to take action.

“The idea is to create a culture where students don’t bring bottled water or use bottled water even though they may have the right,” said Luke Stocking, Central Ontario Animator for Development and Peace.

TORONTO - For Lucy Schmidt, getting involved in the faith groups available on campus at Toronto������Ƶapp University of St. Michael������Ƶapp College has made her university experience incredible.

A second-year student at the Catholic college on the University of Toronto campus, Schmidt stays busy outside the classroom as president of the university������Ƶapp pro-life club, a member of the liturgical choir, part of campus chaplaincy and an Out of the Cold program co-ordinator.

“Choosing a Catholic university adds a whole different level to your university experience,” said Schmidt, a Christianity and Culture major in the concurrent education program. “I know when students are applying they’re thinking about their academic experience but a huge part of it is student life. And a huge part of student life is growing in faith and finding like-minded people who can help you do that.”

TORONTO - Classes can be several minutes walking distance from each other at the University of Toronto. During this time, Emily VanBerkum, a third-year Christianity and Culture student, doesn’t just walk — she makes time for God.

“One way I incorporate God in my day is by saying my daily prayers on the way to class or before class starts. Nothing fancy or formal, just me talking to God,” said VanBerkum.

TORONTO - For the past decade, the University of St. Michael������Ƶapp College Liturgical Choir has performed its traditional Christmas concert in front of an audience on campus. But this year, instead of the campus coming to them, the choir went out to the campus.

On Dec. 7, 13 members of the choir, joined by about five non-member students and chaplain Fr. Jim Murphy, travelled around the college singing carols. During its hour-long Christmas Carolling Service, the group toured the buildings, residences and lounges at the college, gathering more and more recruits as it sang both classic and modern songs including “The Holly and the Ivy” and Godspell������Ƶapp “Light of the World.”

TORONTO - This Christmas, high schools in Toronto are doing their part to spread Christmas cheer in the city.

At St. Michael������Ƶapp Choir School, students have been using their voices throughout the month to spread the Christmas message.

On Dec. 2, about 60 students performed a benefit concert at a toy drive run by the Toronto Firefighters at the Shops at Don Mills. And on Dec. 15, a student benefit choir sang for patients at Sunnybrook Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children to make patients’ holidays a little bit happier.

VICTORIA - On Nov. 27, students at the held a day-long vigil to pray for the rights of the unborn.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., about 15 students gathered throughout the day, rosaries in hand, with at least four people present every hour.

It������Ƶapp the sort of public display of faith that is rare on the University of Victoria campus though.

TORONTO - Kristine Soufian wanted to help people who needed it the most. So she took action, initiating the Ethiopia Summer Experience.

The main focus of the volunteering initiative is to offer an ESL (English as a Second Language) program to both elementary and high school students in Gambo, Ethiopia, over the summer. The program is one branch of the Cor Unum Africa Foundation.

Natalie Achonwa graduated from a Hamilton, Ont., high school to the and went right into the record book.

The budding basketball star is the first international player to suit up for Notre Dame������Ƶapp varsity basketball team in the 34-year history of the women������Ƶapp program. And, although she just turned 18 last week, she is already a two-year veteran of the Canadian women������Ƶapp senior national team.

Markham, Ont. - One teenager doesn’t attend Mass regularly because he finds it boring. Another prefers sleeping in on Sunday. Whatever the excuse for skipping Mass, we’ve heard it before. But some parishes in Toronto are offering a solution: youth Masses.

Grade 12 student Isaac Peiris attends youth mass because it speak to issues he������Ƶapp experiencing while avoiding the generation gap sometimes found at traditional Masses.