By: Taryn Bratz
Photo Credit: Katelyn Robles
On Friday March 6th, Holy Trinity’s theatre group, Theatre Trinity, presented The Mill Part 1: Now We Are Brody, written by the Canadian playwright Matthew MacFadzean (who was in attendance yesterday evening) at the annual Sears Drama Festival. After taking two awards home, this production was then presented to Holy Trinity’s community on March 9th and again in an encore performance on March 27th.
By: Taryn Bratz
Photo Credit: Maddi McNevitts
This past Thursday, Holy Trinity was spiritually blessed to have Father Jason Kuntz from St. Michael’s parish to celebrate Mass and give the Holy Trinity community a devotional homily about taking the time to care about others. This message is a simple one. However, in our busy lives we tend to get caught up in everyday life, which unfortunately drives us to be selfish and live in a “dog eat dog world”. Lent is the perfect time to reflect back on past wrongdoings and look forward to how we can overcome these certain challenges in our lives. A simple way we show that we care about other people is just by saying thank you. I know- easy! In this day and age, we get so overwhelmed with things; we completely forget the things that God has given us. Even if you're not religious- maybe you're agnostic or practising another religion- a simple thank you to God or the universe, or YHWH or Brahma, or Buddha, the Creator, or even Allah. It can make the utmost difference in your life.
For example, we take for granted the fact that we have water. Simple H20. There are people in the world that do not have clean sanitized drinking water. They walk miles for just a pitcher of bacteria infested water. We don't even half to walk very far. At most all we have to walk is ten steps and we are at a sink. So let’s just say "thanks" to whomever you believe in for clean water. School is another great example. It’s now March Break, and how many of us are ecstatic to have a whole week off? Just take a moment to think that there are kids who don't even get a chance in their life to go to school. And yet we complain. We have heating in the winter, air conditioning in the spring, plumbing, a couple tests, and a maximum of four exams at the end of the semester, and then we have two months of summer vacation and a whole bunch of other holidays off! There are kids that want to go to school. They want an education because they know that if they don't they can't be successful. In this society that we live in today, we are so privileged for everything and most of the time we don’t acknowledge it.
Another way that we can help and show that we care for others is making a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, whether it’s some spare change or some clothes that you know you will never ever wear again. Donations were also collected at the school’s Lenten Mass for Mom2Mom Africa. Classes were asked to raise money and purchase a children’s backpack that would then be shipped to Africa for underprivileged children to use. Lent is a time for reflection, but it is also a time to take action, and to be grateful for those and the things around you. You don’t have to be religious to be grateful, just acknowledge your surroundings. Just say thank you.
Once again, let’s just say thank you to our government for giving us an education that will be beneficial in our lives, no matter where they may take us. Lastly, let’s be thankful for everything that we have ever taken for granted. A clean bed, food on the table, a pantry full of snacks, electricity, hot water, television, and the most important of all- our parents for giving us this life that we live. To reiterate Father Jason’s message, we should take the miniscule amount of time that it takes to show that we care about others and not just ourselves. Maybe hold a door open for someone, say hi to someone in the halls, or just be there for someone if they're in need of your help. By doing this simple act you could impact not just the person whom you're thanking’s life, but someone else’s around you as well.
By: Taryn Bratz
For the past several weeks, students at Holy Trinity have been working hard to put together this year’s Sears Drama Festival production, The Mill - Now We Are Brody. This horror play takes place in 1854, following the arrival of a young woman with the deed to a haunted, boarded up mill. The townsfolk worry that she will reveal the shameful secrets of the past that has so far led to the abandonment of the mill. The students will perform this unique production on March 6 when they compete against other schools from various districts from all over Ontario at Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School in Hamilton. We wish them good luck and hope they’ll break a leg!
A future announcement will be made regarding dates and show times for viewing this production at Holy Trinity in the coming week.
By: Taryn Bratz
This is a companion article to our first print edition, available for only a dollar in the Holy Trinity atrium this week.
Christmas is, without a doubt, my favourite holiday. There's so much to be grateful for, not just for the birth of Jesus, but to be able to celebrate it with family and friends. Every year around the beginning of November you start to hear hundreds of Christmas songs. So, I have decided to make a top ten list (in no particular order) which includes some classics, instrumentals, more-recents, and just down-right hilarious pieces. Hope you enjoy!
Just click on the link to the corresponding YouTube video for each song, or click here for a playlist of all ten songs!
Carol of the Bells- Trans-Siberian Orchestra: This is a great song that features both a classical orchestra and a rock band in one. This combination delivers a spine-chilling performance making you want to play it over and over again.
Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer- Elmo Shropshire: This is definitely one of the funniest Christmas songs out there. Although it may sound quite morbid, this is certainly a favourite for the clever lyrics. If you’re not singing out loud then you’ll be laughing outloud.
Santa Baby- Madonna: This Christmas hit by Madonna definitely makes you contemplate your christmas list. Is a yacht really a lot?
O Holy Night- Il Divo: There have been many renditions of this classic favourite, but Il Divo certainly adds the heartwarming touch. This cosmopolitan quartet of pop and opera beautifully combines traditional with modern to tell the birth of Jesus Christ and humanity’s salvation.
Mary’s Boy Child- Boney M: This song gives everyone a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and beautifully tells the story of the first Nativity.
The Holly and the Ivy- Jon Anderson: This song is a classic rendition of a British choir carol that makes you want to sing along to every word. In particular, this version has a beautiful instrumental background.
White Christmas- Bing Crosby: What would Christmas be without this holiday favourite? White Christmas by Bing Crosby certainly exclaims the expectations we all have and hope to fulfill at Christmas time. I know I’ll be dreaming of a white Christmas.
We Three Kings- Celtic Woman: This magical song brings the Celtic flare that this memorable story needs. This creatively tells the story of the three wise men, Jasper, Balthazar, and Melchior and the gifts they brought baby Jesus.
Silent Night- Josh Groban: Who can forget his classical lullaby with the combination of Josh Groban’s powerful voice and the children’s choir in the background? This is one of my all time favourites.
Baby It’s Cold Outside- Michael Buble and Idina Menzel: If you haven't heard this collaboration you're in for a treat. With both of their voices, this song will definitely go down in history as a great Christmas classic!
Happy listening!
