A lot of the GS kids at my school have first period free together. It is so beautiful, because they started meeting to do School of Community or to read or study together every morning. Well, two weeks ago, a teacher approached me (keep in mind that we have a very “rules-oriented” school, which scares many teachers into silence) and asked me if she could buy the two books of Fr. Giussani. I was so shocked! She went on to explain that she saw the way they stayed together in the morning, and she wanted to be able to stay with them. The next day, a different teacher came up to me and said, “I heard you were talking about hope this morning; let’s discuss it.” Slowly, all these teachers have been moved by these students!! For the first time, it has nothing to do with me, and I am so, so happy! I didn’t plan it, or organize it, or prepare it. I didn’t try and “make Christ happen;“ He’s just alive in our school! Yesterday was our Mass for Fr. Giussani, and five of our teachers came (our Physics teacher brought his whole family). There were more than 100 of us, and many of the GS kids brought their parents. James’ parents fight with James about GS all the time. They came last night, and they went home in awe. They finally told James that they understand why he goes, and James was so moved by the questions they began to ask him. Adam’s parents don’t like GS either, and they too completely changed their minds. They even told Adam’s little sister that she must go to GS when she reaches high school. Gianna’s father, who is Christian but was never fond of the Catholic church, was amazed by how many people were there, was so struck by their sincerity and warmth, fell in love with the song “Romaria”, and was so happy that Gianna was coming here. Jasmine’s little brother went home raving about GS, saying that he can’t wait to reach high school so he can come, and has already rounded up a friend to come with him. Lastly, my friend Michael has started coming to GS. He is a “cool” kid in our school. Last night, he missed going out with his friends to come to the Mass with his mom. His mom loved the Mass so much that she went home and did research on Fr. Giussani. She and her husband are now planning to go to the CL meeting downtown.

Gaby, Toronto (Canada)