The Western Catholic Reporter is back from holidays and our first issue has a lot to say about young people following Jesus.

Freelance reporter Sara Francis reports on Jean-Pierre Ducharme and Billy Isenor who have just made their final vows as Franciscans. What led them to choose a vocation of poverty, chastity and obedience as Franciscans? Sara’s reports will tell you.

Deborah Gyapong, Ottawa correspondent for Canadian Catholic News, tells of a new Catholic movement in Quebec, Famille Marie-Jeunesse, where young people not only make the traditional vows, but also a vow of joy. In less than 15 years, 47 men and women have made permanent commitments to the lay consecrated order and 13 men have become priests. In highly secularized Quebec, it’s a sign of a new spiritual springtime.

The WCR’s staff reporters Ramon Gonzalez and Chris Miller bring you up to date on local happenings as well. Three new Catholic schools are opening in Edmonton, a St. Albert Knights of Columbus council has achieved international recognition and an Edmonton woman is drawn to recall nearly-forgotten supernatural events from 1949.

All this and much more in the Aug. 30 WCR at www.wcr.ab.ca or in your mailbox.