Posted on 08/03/2002 7:20:33 AM PDT by Clive
"It was one of the most enjoyable weeks of my working life," explained Ted, a driver with the Toronto Transit Commission.
"I drove thousands of these World Youth Day kids around in the bus, and they were polite, happy, clever, fun. Yeah, just fun to be with. None of the anger, none of the sullen garbage I usually get from teenagers. I'm not a Catholic, but I have to tell you these kids were amazing."
A view echoed all over the city, the province, the country. Wherever the pilgrims walked they impressed. And comparisons were constantly made.
For once, we didn't see the loud and vulgar girl with the omnipresent cell phone. On which can be heard that vital conversation about where her friend will be in 15 minutes and whether Courtney will be there as well. And if she isn't, where will she be and, "Omigod, I'm here now and I'm still speaking to you. Like amazing. But where's Courtney? Omigod I don't, like, believe it."
Nor was there the boy who dresses like a street pimp because his mother paid more than $600 for his pants, sweater and shoes. She said she wouldn't be so generous because of how rude he had been to her, but she didn't have much time to deal with the situation. What with the SUV needing to be taken into the shop, and that stupid nanny late again.
When these young people spoke, life was not an endless crisis, materialism not a religion, sex not an addiction and intelligence not anathema. Most were tired, many were from poor nations, all were delightful.
MORE MONEY FOR KIDS
I'd bet that most of you reading this column grew up in economic conditions that make today's environment appear prosperous. In other words, at the risk of sounding old, there is more money around today for kids than there ever was for those of us over 35. They have it better, but so many behave worse.
As did the protesters, who received a great deal of coverage from some media outlets. Problem was, nobody could find them unless they were on the CBC. A million people participated in World Youth Day, compared to a couple of dozen demonstrating sour-faces.
Actually, I had to feel sorry for them. The angst and neurosis that is the habitual demeanour of these types was magnified into a full-blown panic attack. So they handed out condoms. Funny really.
"Hey, there are hundreds of thousands of faithful Christian kids in the city. I know, let's buy some contraceptives!"
One of the great ironies of the week occurred when a prosperous protester argued the Roman Catholic Church was killing millions of people in Africa because of AIDS and the Church's teaching on birth control.
He was confronted by a black African girl, a strong Catholic, who told him to keep his western values to himself.
"How dare you try to impose your decaying ideas on us? Haven't you done enough damage already? If you want to do something, be like one of those priests you criticize and come out to Africa to spend 30 years in a hill village bringing fresh water to the babies and teaching the people how to read and write."
Junior looked at his Nikes and walked away, his condom rather drooping at this point.
It was Christian organizations, of course, which had been telling the world about AIDS in Africa for decades, and were ignored. The West only became interested when the virus spread to the gay community in North America. Suddenly, AIDS was a major issue and "something had to be done."
So secular activists started blaming Christians, the only people who had been working with AIDS patients in Africa in the first place. Those Christians who live out there, by the way, tell us that AIDS in the developing world is an issue not of sex but of poverty. Educate, feed and empower the people. Don't just wrap them in latex and then watch their children die of starvation.
John Paul II came, he conquered, he went home for a cup of tea and a good night's sleep. The country is not quite as bright as when he was here, but it can be. It's up to you now. It really is.
I HAVE been a TTC driver for 22 years and must say that the youth of this city should really take a lesson from the young pilgrims who were in our city last week. It has been an honour and privilege to have driven these youth around Toronto. They have been great ambassadors for their countries and their Church as well. I have never received so many thank-yous as I did last week. Over and over again I saw them give up their seats to the elderly and pregnant women, and watched them help women with strollers board my bus. To all of these young pilgrims, I say a heart felt thank you for restoring my faith in youth and the future of the world.
Barry Connery
A view echoed all over the city, the province, the country. Wherever the pilgrims walked they impressed. And comparisons were constantly made.
I like this.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
He was confronted by a black African girl, a strong Catholic, who told him to keep his western values to himself.
"How dare you try to impose your decaying ideas on us? Haven't you done enough damage already? If you want to do something, be like one of those priests you criticize and come out to Africa to spend 30 years in a hill village bringing fresh water to the babies and teaching the people how to read and write."
Junior looked at his Nikes and walked away, his condom rather drooping at this point.
Best thing I've read in a long time. I have read many similar stories from past World Youth Days, in Denver and Mexico City. Some Denver columnists were against the Pope coming to Denver, but later, after seeing the kids who came, actually apologized in print.
Those little kids are gonna grow up and force their morality on everyone else. They're gonna be intolerant and simplistic robots mucking up the works for the rest of us.
Oh yeah...they're cute now...but wait til one of 'em gets elected to student body President and decides that homosexuality is indeed a sin. Then what? Huh?
Now THAT'S something truely amazing. Perhaps these writers had a life-changing experience, though they likely won't admit it to anyone.
"How dare you try to impose your decaying ideas on us? Haven't you done enough damage already? If you want to do something, be like one of those priests you criticize and come out to Africa to spend 30 years in a hill village bringing fresh water to the babies and teaching the people how to read and write."
Junior looked at his Nikes and walked away, his condom rather drooping at this point.
LOL!!! She shoots....she Scores!!! Game, Set, Match.
You know when I read something like this , it makes me think that even IF the west and it's traditional values is in decline(and I emphasize IF) I realise that God continues his work in other parts of the world.
It's nice to hear. I've heard many say they can tell the difference right away between a kid who's raised in a serious Christian home, and one who isn't.
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