During Catholic Education Week, the Diocese of Hamilton hosted their annual Culture of Life Youth Leadership Conference at the Nicholas Mancini Centre. Secondary students from across our Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board joined together with secondary students throughout the Diocese to partake in a faith-filled day centered around the Culture of Life.
The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist with His Excellency Bishop Crosby at the Cathedral of Christ the King. In his homily, Bishop Crosby drew upon the theme for Catholic Education Week: We Are Called to Love and reminded students that Jesus commands us to love and one way to do this is by saying yes to the culture of life and living the call to love through honouring the sanctity of life from natural conception to natural death.
Following Mass, students participated in two engaging speaker sessions with Natalie Sonnens from Healing the Culture. During these sessions Natalie spoke about the four levels of happiness. In the explanation, Natalie guided students to understand that all levels of happiness need to be met and that true happiness comes when we are in relationship with God, and we live according to His will.
When asked about the conference, Julia from Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School shared, "The Culture of Life conference affirmed my vocation as an advocate for those in need. I felt inspired with a sense of understanding and compassion to join with faithful all around the world to minister to, learn about, and highlight the dignity and intrinsic value of every human life. I felt Jesus knock at the door of my heart to remind me that I am part of a larger call, using my faith and beliefs not as weapons, but instruments of love, caring for my neighbor and the vulnerable. I was reminded of the fact that every person deserves to be loved and cared for wholly, despite their circumstances or abilities because we are all unique and beloved sons and daughters, meant to be loved both in this world and by Christ our Saviour."
Additionally, Weronika from Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School said, "I had a very good experience at the conference and think that a lot of good information was shared by the speaker. It was very eye-opening and helped me to understand more about protection of life and the truth about it. It was very motivational to hear how others are helping to comfort other women and be a comforting voice to those who are struggling. I think that it was like a call to also become a voice to those who don't have a voice and stand up to protect life."
The one-day conference also provided an opportunity for students to discuss life issues within their groups and to meet with representatives from Hamilton Right to Life, Birthright, and the Office of Youth Ministry from the Diocese of Hamilton.
