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{mosimage}OTTAWA - On Jan. 10, Ottawa youth came together to honour cultural diversity among Catholics at the annual Homelands Mass celebrated at the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica.

Catholics from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds participated in the Mass, including Chinese, Italian, Korean, Hungarian, Polish and Vietnamese. All participants in the Mass wore clothing representing their community. Following the Mass, a representative from each  community had the opportunity to speak with the bishop about their concerns. There was also a reception featuring foods from around the world.

{mosimage}WINNIPEG - is now looking to focus on better preparing its graduates as Christian leaders as they step out of their university communities.

“We do not want our graduates dependent on CCO,” said Andre Regnier, co-founder of CCO, the Canadian university movement focused on evangelization and formation of students. “Our number one priority is to send them forth.”

{mosimage}WINNIPEG - Since the age of six, Jennifer Waroway felt called to dedicate her life to God. But it wasn’t until about three years ago that the 33-year-old Grade 5 school teacher realized that consecrated virginity was the way she would live that out.

According to recent reports, there are only 60 known consecrated virgins in Canada and some 3,000 worldwide. Perhaps this is why it took Waroway 24 years to discover this particular way of life.

{mosimage}Since he began an online ministry a few months ago to help those struggling with pornography, Matthew Fradd has been sharing this motto: “To the degree you love women, fight pornography.”

Fradd says ������Ƶapp mission is to break the silence and expose the lies surrounding pornography and its devastating, anti-love nature, as well as to point those with the struggle to “the love and healing of Jesus Christ.”

{mosimage}TORONTO - Catholic students from across Toronto sat in silence as John Bransfield and Joey Ivory, a young engaged couple, described their tragic struggle with homelessness.

The couple was asked to speak at the annual Social Justice Symposium, hosted by Brebeuf College School on Dec. 11, at Toronto������Ƶapp campus.

{mosimage}TORONTO - As two buses pulled into the parking lot of St. Benedict������Ƶapp parish on Nov. 29, a group of 60 Grade 11 students from Catholic secondary schools across Toronto began “a new chapter of their lives.”

The students, who had spent the previous weekend on a Salesian Leadership Retreat north of Toronto, returned “lighter,” said Atrin Parastesh, a retreatant from Bishop Allen Academy.

{mosimage}Born and raised in India, George Devassy has a real passion for the youth and for his faith as a Catholic. And it is this passion that led him to become the international co-ordinator of the lay movement at the age of 26.

Jesus Youth was established during the World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. has a charismatic spirituality and adopts a lifestyle of personal prayer, the Word of God, sacraments, fellowship, service and evangelization. Originating from India, Jesus Youth is now active in 24 countries and continues to serve the church.

{mosimage}ST. JOHN’S Nfld. - When Patrick Hanlon was a young man, he heard a very disturbing comment. He was walking with his mother and mentally and physically disabled sister, when he heard people say behind her back, “Wouldn’t she be better off dead?”

Hanlon was horrified to think that some people didn’t consider the sister he loved so dearly worthy of life.

{mosimage} MISSISSAUGA, Ont.  - When asked about the conflicts she faced in her home country of Nigeria, J.P., who did not wish to disclose her full name, was shaken up in discussing an unjust past she has worked hard to put behind her. Hers is a story of courage and determination shared by 135 refugees who attended the seventh annual Family Faith Night dinner and talent show at St. Marcellinus Catholic Secondary School  Nov. 26.

J.P. came to Canada in 2001, a process that was far from easy. Along with her two sons, Kenny, seven, and Alex, 12, J.P. found support and comfort in Sojourn House, a “short-term shelter for refugees who have no option to stay somewhere decent, and a transitional house that provides a longer-time stay for refugees who have experienced trauma,” said Everton Gordon, the shelter manager.

{mosimage}OAKVILLE, Ont. - The importance of going to Mass and God������Ƶapp plan for their sainthood became clear to Grade 8 students from the Halton Region through dynamic presentations to boost their faith.

The Halton Catholic District School Board������Ƶapp 2,100 Grade 8 students were welcomed to Mary Mother of God parish in Oakville for the board������Ƶapp first youth leadership rally Nov. 17-19.