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{mosimage}Editor������Ƶapp note: This is the third place entry for the Friars Student Writing Award contest sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and The Catholic Register. Thien-An Nguyen, 17, is a Grade 12 student at Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School in Toronto.

“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.

{mosimage}TORONTO - The Canadian committee of the World Youth Alliance marked its recent inception by hosting speakers Feb. 27 on the topic of refugees, immigrants and multiculturalism in Canada.

The 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.

{mosimage}Editor������Ƶapp note: This is the second place entry for the Friars Student Writing Award contest sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and The Catholic Register. Katie Gillis, 18, is a Grade 12 student at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Ont.

“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.

{mosimage}Editor������Ƶapp note: This is the winning entry for the Friars essay contest.

After Jesus rose from the dead and made Himself known to His disciples in Jerusalem, He gave them a mission that He invites us to partake in as well. We, too, need to tell the truth and we are called to do it joyfully.   

When Jesus appeared to His disciples He allowed them to hear His voice, see His body and touch His wounds. By engaging in this intimate verification of their Lord, the disciples realized that their beloved teacher was in their midst. With Jesus’ appearance, they not only became witnesses to the Resurrection, they became witnesses to the truth of Jesus’ entire life and ministry. All He has told them is true.  Jesus said, “You are witnesses to these things.” Jesus meant that the disciples had seen the truth. They were obliged, impelled to tell what they know. Jesus challenged them to do so. By calling the disciples to be witnesses, Jesus united them together in Himself.

{mosimage}Sarah Robinson of Port Dover, Ont., has taken first prize in the eighth annual Friars’ Student Writing Award contest for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Grade 11 student from Holy Trinity Catholic School was awarded an iPod touch for her essay that focused on the biblical passage “You are witnesses to these things.”

“For those who participated, it does send them back to the Scripture which is an important experience for the youth of today, and it������Ƶapp one of the goals the archbishop has cited for Catholic education,” said Fr. Damian MacPherson, SA, director for ecumenical and interfaith affairs for the archdiocese of Toronto.”

{mosimage}With Bill C-384 slated for a second hour of debate once Parliament resumes, students are joining in the fight to prevent the passage of a bill that would legalize euthanasia in Canada.

Nathan Welch is one such student. Welch lives in London, Ont., and studies social work at the University of Western Ontario. He is a leader in his campus pro-life club.

{mosimage}During the mid-1800s, Italian priest Fr. John Bosco was determined to get youth to come into deeper communion with Jesus Christ.

Bosco put on elaborate shows and performed acrobatics like juggling and tightrope walking. After wowing them with his  feats, he would share the Gospel with youth, touching their hearts and changing their lives.

{mosimage}OTTAWA  - Youth from across the Ottawa archdiocese gathered for the second annual Don Bosco Awards Gala Jan. 30 to honour those who answer the call to live passionately through Christ daily.

Eight of the youth leaders, described as having gone above and beyond the call of youth ministry, were given special recognition at the event.

{mosimage}SASKATOON - Fr. Marc Mireau recently survived a severe heart attack thanks to a quick-thinking seminarian and dedicated doctors.

On Dec. 28, Mireau, bilingual pastor of a French Catholic community outside of Saskatoon and chaplain for Catholic Christian Outreach at the University of Saskatchewan, was preparing to fly to Winnipeg for CCO������Ƶapp national Rise Up Christmas conference, but had not been well for a few days prior.

{mosimage}St. Marcellinus Secondary School quarterback Brandon Bridge is living his dream. The 17-year-old Mississauga athlete was selected and contacted several weeks ago as one of 45 junior players from four continents to play on the World Football Team for the annual “Team USA vs. The World” football game Jan. 30 in Ft. Lauderdale.

Bridge has led his school team, the St. Marcellinus Spirit, to back-to-back senior high school championships. He played for Team Canada in an event in Canton Ohio last July and suspects he was selected for the World Football Team because of that exposure.