On Wednesday February 26th I was intrigued by Father Chris’ discussion tackling the challenging question “How does a just and loving God allow suffering?” at Theology on Tap East. I was touched by so many examples that Father Chris gave explaining that suffering is a part of life. It is not only our own suffering but the suffering of those around us. We are a part of a greater human experience and while we feel that suffering is our own and feeling the need of isolation, it’s actually the opposite. I know sometimes we want to be left alone but as Father Chris mentioned, it’s best to be done in communion with others. On one hand I agree that it’s important to look for community with our friends and family but more importantly in the Eucharist with Christ Himself.

On January 13, 2014, 85 young adults from the Peel Region gathered at West 50 Pourhouse and Grille in Mississauga for Theology on Tap West. Fr. Damian McPherson explored the question “Christianity and World Religions: Complimentary or Contradictory?”

One of the most nerve-wracking things for many people is walking into a room of strangers and striking up a conversation with someone. The feeling can be a combination of nausea and getting punched in the stomach; an uncomfortable, hollow feeling that threatens to send you running out the door. Throw in assigned pairs and a four minute time-frame, and some people are ready to cower in the corner.

When the Faith Connections team gathered this afternoon to plan our upcoming programs, we reflected and prayed about the words of Pope Francis and Mary, the mother of God.

“You must not resign yourselves to the monotony of everyday life, but rather cultivate broad-ranging plans, go beyond the ordinary; do not allow yourselves to be robbed of your youthful enthusiasm! It would also be a mistake to allow yourselves to be imprisoned by the weak and uniform thought, that which conforms, or indeed by a globalization understood as uniformity.” — Pope Francis, Nov 30, 2013