Another door opens!

Andrew Santos

September 7, 2011
I returned home from World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain almost two weeks ago -- honestly, one of the most incredible trips of my life. There are no words to express how I feel. I still find myself wrapped with plenty of emotion and with a ton of WYD withdrawal. That's to be expected with any sort of trip, but most especially, when one is on pilgrimage. There were so many people, churches, activities and journeys that I won't soon forget. Then there's the time-adjusting to worry about!
With all that being said and done, a new month has come and with that, an exciting and blessed challenge lies ahead. This challenge, in particular, has been something that I've anticipated since before I left for pilgrimage. I have just accepted the role of Associate Producer with Salt + Light Television. All that began on September 1st. I can begin by saying that God was instrumental in the way everything unfolded. All in all, I'm very excited and am looking ahead to this inspiring opportunity with this incredible family of faith, better known as Salt + Light Television.
Speaking of the team and prior to joining them, I graduated earlier this June from Durham College in Oshawa, with an Advanced 3-year diploma in Journalism (Print & Broadcast). That was certainly a pivotal moment in my life, and I'm thankful for having graduated.
In my years, I've always looked up to Salt + Light Television, a network filled with change, hope and love for the millions of people - not only in Canada but around the world. I certainly feel privileged to be working alongside a dynamic and passionate group of young people, whose cause and purpose is so clear and evident in their attitude and in the work they carry out.
When I look at everyone around me, I can't help but reflect on the words of Pope John Paul II at WYD 1993 in Denver. He said that, “Christ needs our young people to enlighten the world and to show it the “path of life”. Fast forward ten years from Denver, Canada officially launched its very own Catholic network, on the heels of World Youth day in Toronto. Our late Holy Father was right. Young people today are striving for the chance to put forth a positive footprint, in our ever growing secular society.
As our dear and late Holy Father said, the Church of today still needs our young people’s energy, their enthusiasm and youthful ideas, in order to make the Gospel of life penetrate the fabric of society, creating a civilization of true justice and love.
There is still so much work to be done. I know that very well.
The last thing we can do is pray. So, let's do it!
Lord, you search me and you know me. Grant me the ability to see and hear you everyday, in everything I do. Bless my ministry and Salt + Light Television to Your service and keep us ever mindful of the needs of others. Your gift of unconditional love strengthens us and for that, we are indebted to You. We pray this in Your Holy name.
St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Canada - pray for us.
Amen.