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LONDON, Ont. - A movement dedicated to studying sacred texts to promote friendship between people of different faiths hosted its first Canadian conference at Huron University College in London June 27-30.

Scriptural reasoning is a practice where Christians, Jews and Muslims study each other������Ƶapp sacred texts. The goal is to give people of different faiths a way to transcend their religious differences and foster trust and understanding. This is the third scriptural reasoning conference to be hosted in North America.  

TORONTO - The archdiocese of Toronto������Ƶapp Office of Catholic Youth is offering to fully subsidize the cost of attending its annual youth rally July 23-25 in Midland, Ont., for up to five youth from every parish in the archdiocese.

“If you have sent groups in the past we hope you will see this as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for your support.

“If you have never sent young people we hope you will take advantage of this promotion and give us the opportunity to connect with youth or young adults from your community,” the OCY said on its web site.

The archdiocesan weekend provides catechesis, prayer, Mass, live music, a movie and more, usually for teens and older youth ages 19-25. But for the first time, the OCY has also built in a special component for young adults ages 25-35.

When Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School student Jonathan Andrade took on a Grade 10 religion art class project last year, he didn’t expect to finish as a finalist in “Doc It!” showcase for documentary films by youth.

But to his surprise, he did, and last month, continued the editing process for his short film Game On in anticipation of his school������Ƶapp own  ‘Just’ Docs Media Festival which takes place June 9.

“I hope they get some laughs, first of all,” Andrade said of the six-minute film. “And I hope it shows that (gaming) is a problem, even though our movie was very lighthearted.”

Six Canadian youth of different faiths have helped the Tony Blair Faith Foundation to reach its $5-million , 500,000 malaria nets goal.

These six Faiths Act Fellows based in Toronto and Montreal were part of Canada������Ƶapp inaugural Faiths Act Fellowship launched by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core. The interfaith initiative paired 30 young Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs and Humanists and was designed to show that when people of different religions work together to achieve the UN������Ƶapp Millennium Development Goals, they can have a crucial role in reducing conflict and saving lives. The students spent the past 10 months building multi-faith relationships by encouraging different faith communities to work together to raise funds and awareness to tackle malaria and other global issues.

The Catholic Register played host to its Youth Speak News correspondents in Toronto for a weekend of professional development, faith deepening and fun May 28-30.

Writers on this year������Ƶapp team made their way to Toronto from as far away as St. John������Ƶapp, Nfld., and Saskatoon, and from various cities across Eastern Ontario to deepen their knowledge of Catholic media in Canada.

Winnipeg - The last time a Tri-Diocesan Youth Rally came to Winnipeg, the city was recovering from what is now called the “Flood of the Century.” There was another flood in Winnipeg on May 14, only it wasn’t with water — it was with 700 enthusiastic 10 and 11 year old who assembled to celebrate their faith.

“(The Tri-Diocesan Youth Rallies) have been a part of our history and we wanted to keep it going,” said Elisabeth Duggan, the director of youth ministry for the archdiocese of Winnipeg. Duggan was one of three hosts and organizers of the event, along with Pierre St. Amant and Tamara Lisowski, the directors of youth ministry for the archdiocese St. Boniface and the archeparchy of Winnipeg.

LONDON, ONT. - A youth organization that has dedicated itself to promoting positive dialogue between Catholics and Jews is now doing the same with the Muslim community.

The Centre for Catholic Jewish Learning, an organization established to improve Catholic-Jewish relations at King������Ƶapp University College in London, changed its name to the Centre for Jewish Catholic Muslim Learning (CJCML) this year.

MARKHAM, Ont. - Catholic youth leadership is alive and well in the archdiocese of Toronto.

The Office of Catholic Youth������Ƶapp yearly banquet highlighted Catholic leadership, and gave a video look into the lives of six phenomenal young leaders from parishes throughout the archdiocese to the record crowd of 550.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Leading up to the annual March for Life in Ottawa, youth from across the country spend months busily preparing themselves for the event. And when they return home, the issue remains for many a priority.

At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School in Mississauga, a group of enthusiastic students was among the thousands of Catholic students who prepared for the annual pilgrimage, which took place May 13. Students who attend the March usually come back to share their experience and newfound knowledge with their peers. The school organized its first trip for the rally last year after history teacher Paul Medeiros inspired a class with a discussion comparing abortion to a modern Holocaust.

ST. JOHN’S, Nfld. - In a desert of secular schools, is an oasis.

Started in 1856, one year after the consecration of the neighbouring Basilica of St. John the Baptist, the College has been an integral part of the fabric of St. John������Ƶapp. In 1998, denominational education was ended in the province, and St. Bonaventure������Ƶapp (St. Bon������Ƶapp) was targeted for closure. However, the following year, without any government support, the school reopened as a private college. The 2009-2010 school year marks the 10th anniversary of this rebirth.