​The following article was written by Mark Knowlton, Religion and Humanities Teacher at Christ the King Catholic Secondary School, Georgetown:

Every teacher hopes that their students will respond to what they are learning by applying it to their life in the real world. As Catholic educators, we also hope that our students will respond to Jesus’ call to apply the Beatitudes to their life and put His words into action. I experienced one such moment this past October during a lesson I was giving on the Beatitudes. While teaching about the second Beatitude where Jesus proclaims “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” we talked about examples where people are in great need of comfort in the world. 

Several examples and stories were shared, but it was after telling my students about the terrorist shootings in Norway this past summer on Utoya Island, Oslo, that the students wanted to respond. All of the students were shocked to learn that nearly 70 people were killed, 55 of them teenagers. They all wanted to reach out to the families and the country. After some brief discussion, we decided that our way of showing that we care was going to be expressed in writing. The whole class decided to write letters to the families that lost a child. There were only 23 students in the class and not enough to write to everyone. We also did not have access to the families directly. We decided to have each student write one generic letter to the camp where the murders happened – a letter that would speak from the heart about grief and to the difference love and compassion can make for those who have gone through something tragic. After watching some news reports of the tragedy, one student noted that the killer claimed to be a Christian on his Facebook page. Discussion ensued about whether claiming to be a Christian on your Facebook page was enough, especially when your actions tragically say otherwise. What does it mean to be a follower of Christ? All of the students agreed that following Christ must include evidence of loving action in their life. To my students the killer was far from being a true Christian.  They proceeded to add comments to this effect in their letters.

We spent a few days composing the letters. Students shared ideas on everything from content to paragraph formation to decorations for the letters. Rough drafts were composed, edited by their peers and then formally written on special paper. Decorations were used to enhance the appearance and themes of the letters. The class really wanted to ensure that those receiving the letters at the camp on Utoya Island would feel that they were truly sorry for what had happened and that youth from around the world still care. Before mailing the letters, each student took turns reading their own letter to the class. It was a very confirming and encouraging time for all involved.

The letters were sent to the government offices in Oslo for distribution to the Youth Labour Party that runs the Utoya Summer Camp every year. However, the letters also ended up in the hands of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg through his office. A special letter was received a mere three weeks after the original letters were sent, written by the Prime Minister to my Grade 9 class. He expressed great thanks for the effort we put into the letters and for showing compassion both as Christians and Canadians for the tragedy. He promised to pass the letters on to the camp at Utoya so they might be read by the leaders and posted this summer. 

After hearing the news my students were elated. This is the kind of action that helps to develop Christian character and I, as their teacher, am very proud of my students. By showing support for those grieving, they have taken another positive step in their walk with Christ. May those who lost loved ones in Oslo this past summer remain in our prayers and may the work of peace continue in our world as we attempt to respond to God’s call to bring the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth.