On November 15-17, 2011, the Halton Catholic District School Board, in partnership with Mary Mother of God Parish, Oakville, will be holding three one-day Catholic Faith Leadership Youth Rallies for all Grade 8 students within the Board.

“The Catholic Leadership Youth Rally Days will focus on developing our young leaders to be active witnesses of the Gospel and equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to do so,” explains Lorrie Naar, Superintendent of Education, School Services, Halton Catholic District School Board. “Through interactive activities, lively speakers, prayer, and the celebration of Mass, our students will gain new insight into leadership and see it from the perspective of their Catholic faith.”

Our Grade 8 students will participate each day in these Youth Rallies, which will run from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., ending with Mass.

"We are fortunate this year to welcome the Most Reverend Bishop Crosby, the new Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, to celebrate Mass for us on Wednesday, November 16,” states Lorrie Naar.

"The theme of the Youth Rallies this year is “Our Father”. A teaching preparation kit will be sent out to all Grade 8 teachers, which has a focus on renewing our understanding of the Apostles Creed. Students will explore what the Apostles Creed means to them, as the essence and proclamation of our Catholic Christian faith. In addition to the activities surrounding the Creed Cross, there will be a focus on the “Our Father” and our relationship with HIM. The importance of our relationship with the mother of God and how we can draw closer to Him by means of praying the rosary will also be reviewed," further explains Lorrie Naar.

Students will be led in praise and worship by the Matt York Band and Kathleen Dunn. The keynote speaker will be Chris Stefanick, a well known speaker on Catholic leadership, the sacraments and chastity.

Parish priests connected with the feeder schools participating on each rally day have been invited to concelebrate at Mass on the day of their rally.

Secondary school students, organized by their school chaplaincy leaders will form teams of “Young Apostles”, who will act in a leadership capacity at the rally that their feeder schools will attend. They will assist as emcees, leading actions during the songs; giving witness to social justice initiatives in their schools (prolife, poverty, environment, etc.), as well as serve as Eucharistic Ministers at the Mass in the afternoon of the rally day.

The rally days have been scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - all Halton Hills Elementary; all Milton Elementary; the following Oakville Elementary: St. Vincent, St. James, St. Dominic, St. Luke, St. Joseph, Holy Family; Bishop P.F. Reding “Young Apostles”; Christ the King “Young Apostles”.
  
• Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - all Burlington Elementary; all Burlington Secondary Schools' “Young Apostle” Teams.
  
• Thursday, November 17, 2011 - Holy Family, Mother Teresa, Our Lady of Peace, Pope John Paul II, St. Andrew, St. Bernadette, St. Joan of Arc, St. John, St. Marguerite d’Youville, St. Matthew, St. Michael, Holy Trinity and St. Ignatius of Loyola “Young Apostles”.