Summer Mission Adventure with Totus Tuus 2024

A letter from Alijah

Hello everyone! My name is Alijah Lorino, a student at the Catholic Chaplaincy at York University in my second year of the concurrent education program.

This summer, I have had the incredible opportunity to serve as a member of the Totus Tuus 2024 Missionary Team, for Team Pope St. John Paul II.

Our mission began with a week-long walking pilgrimage from St. James, Colgan, all the way to the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland.

Following the pilgrimage, we underwent two weeks of training at St. Augustine Seminary, then another week of preparation at Serra House, ensuring we were well-equipped for the mission ahead.

Our mission has taken us to various parishes across the GTA.

Each parish has been a unique and enriching experience, thanks in no small part to our amazing host homes. The hospitality and care from our host families have been beyond exceptional, ensuring we were ready and energized for each day's mission. The men and women on our team stayed in different host homes, and the warmth and support from every family were truly heartwarming.

Being a part of this missionary team has been a profound blessing.

Each child and teen we met was at a different stage in their faith journey. Sharing my experiences and helping them grow in their faith has been incredibly rewarding, giving me the energy to continue day after day.

Despite the physical exhaustion, the enthusiasm and eagerness of the kids and teens rejuvenate me every single day.

I hope we can meet in person some day so I can tell you more about this amazing journey!

Blessings, Alijah

Feeling at home on campus

“I like to come to CCY because it’s a warm and welcoming place where I can encounter the presence of the Catholic Church on campus, where people love God and follow the Gospel day to day. Attending daily Mass and weekly events helps me take a break from schoolwork and prioritize what truly matters. I have made many friends here, and it has quickly become my favourite place to be on campus.”

- Martin

Finding Faith Through Community

“I remember the first time I walked into the chaplaincy. I immediately felt welcomed by everybody there and saw their lovely smiles and friendly faces. Looking back on it now, God brought me to CCY for a reason, and since then, the CCY community has helped me grow immensely in my faith and relationship with God”.

— Andrea