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{mosimage}Summerside, P.E.I. - Twenty young men and women from across Prince Edward Island gathered at the Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre in Summerside for a youth retreat focusing on the messages of Pope John Paul II������Ƶapp Theology of the Body.

The Feb. 6-8 retreat was organized by Greg Herbert, Debbie Bulger and Monique Perry, all members of Right to Life, who used video sessions from a widespread program called “Theology of the Body for Teens.” The program discusses and simplifies the concepts from John Paul II������Ƶapp original teachings to help participants understand that God created humans out of love and for love, for example, and that their bodies make this call to love visible just as sacraments make spiritual truths visible.

{mosimage}TORONTO - It������Ƶapp an upbeat part of the city with proud residents, but Scarborough������Ƶapp lingering reputation as a bad place makes it a little too easy to overlook the booming number of active Catholic youth in the eastern part of Toronto.

While the local news stations are busy placing emphasis on the negativity that Scarborough������Ƶapp past connotes, the priests and youth ministers there are hard at work, influencing the minds of the young people and transforming Scarborough youth groups into among the most active and flourishing ones in Toronto.

{mosimage}BRAMPTON, Ont. - Gospel singer and songwriter sang powerful and uplifting songs of praise and reflection for the Kids for Kids concert on Feb. 7 at St. Anne������Ƶapp Church here.

He sang accompanied by a choir of 20 children, also from St. Anne������Ƶapp, who had been asked to participate by Grima and had been practising with him for a month. The concert was free, yet donations were accepted to raise money for , an organization dedicated to helping runaway teenagers and street kids.

{mosimage}Editor������Ƶapp note: this the last of four honourable mentions for the Friars Student Writing Award contest sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and The Catholic Register. Sarah Antony, 16, is a Grade 11 student at in Toronto.

In the Scripture verse, “That they may be one in your hand,” God is calling all followers of Christ to unite in His name. The verse specifically refers to two sticks, one representing the tribe of Judah and the other representing Israel, to be one in God������Ƶapp hands.

{mosimage}Editor������Ƶapp note: this is one of four honorary mentions for the Friars Student Writing Award contest sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and The Catholic Register. Michael Kirley, 17, is a Grade 12 student at in Lindsay, Ont.

The words, “That they may be one in your hand” (Ezekiel 37:17), resound throughout the ages both as a timeless message of hope for, and a challenge to, the disciples of Jesus everywhere.

{mosimage}A social networking site will offer humour as part of its Lenten program beginning Feb. 25.

Members of will be able to access a daily calendar that will include “daily readings, podcasts and music to give inspiration — and some laughter — during the 40 days of Lent,” according to a press release from the site.

{mosimage}TORONTO - A Lenten/Mardi Gras retreat for teens will take place in Orillia, Ont., this year, as the archdiocese of Toronto������Ƶapp Office of Catholic Youth strives to be more inclusive of its northern parishioners.

������Ƶapp 100 teens are expected to attend the Feb. 20-22 retreat which will feature a Mardi Gras dinner and dance on the Saturday night. They will experience catechesis sessions led by Toronto Auxiliary Bishop Peter Hundt at The Highwayman Inn & Conference Centre where the retreat takes place. They will be offered opportunities to deepen their faith in preparation for Lent with the help of a local music ministry team.

{mosimage}Editor������Ƶapp note: this is one of four honorary mentions for the Friars Student Writing Award contest sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and The Catholic Register. Patrick Colangelo, 16, is a Grade 11 student at in Toronto.

Throughout the ages, Christians have been subjected to anguish, affliction and adversity at the hands of autocrats as a result of their faith and devotion in Christ. These martyrs of the faith are worthy of praise and recognition for their valour, pertinacity and fortitude during these despondent times.

{mosimage}TORONTO - Breakdancers, beatboxers and speakers took to the stage to entertain and motivate more than 460 elementary school students for the Intermediate Leaders in Training Event Jan. 30.

The event, held at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton High School in Toronto, was the first leadership conference of its kind for Grade 7 and 8 students in the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

After students were led in a morning prayer, Bilaal Rajan, a 12-year-old motivational speaker and published Toronto author, encouraged students to follow their dream of making a difference.

{mosimage}The University of Calgary has charged pro-life students with trespassing on campus for a controversial display they set up in November.

Members of the student club Campus Pro-Life (CPL) had set up a Genocide Awareness Project display Nov. 26 and 27 despite threats from the university of suspension, expulsion or arrest. The display included graphic images of aborted fetuses.