Alliston Herald

Today's Weather

Clear and 3°C

>>more weather info

Sharon Bamford photo Finding Brandon Crisp

A sampling from the Wall of Hope at St. Joseph's Catholic High School, containing message of support for the family of Brandon Crisp, now missing more than a week

'Wherever Brandon is, God is"

BY Laurie Watt, Staff October 22, 2008 12:10

St. Joseph’s Catholic High School chaplain Andrea Michael believes prayer, the great wireless connection, makes a difference – and she has 1,000-plus students praying each day for missing teen Brandon Crisp.

Every morning, the school day starts with prayers for him to be kept safe and returned home, as well as for the strength for his family to persevere.

Thursday morning, the school community gathers together in a special prayer service for the 15-year-old boy who left home Thanksgiving Monday with a few basics in his knapsack, after his parents grounded him from Call of Duty – a war-simulation game.

“We need to remind our kids wherever Brandon is, God is,” said St. Joe’s chaplain Andrea Michael.

Not knowing the whereabouts of the Grade 10 student is the most difficult part.

“It’s just so sad. I pray to God he is safe, that he is hiding in someone’s house. It’s almost surreal,” said Michael, holding back tears.

This is a first for the school.

“It’s the unknown. We’ve had deaths in our school. The closure is we know where they are. With Brandon, we don’t know – that’s the hardest part.”

A plaque inside the main office reminds staff and students of Catholic values: topping the list is faith. It includes compassion, family, hope and love – all things Michael is aiming to make more real in the lives of students as one of their own continues to go missing.

Outside the office in the main hall is the Wall of Hope, an area for students to write their own messages for Brandon.

“The theme of it is hope. We hope he is safe and we hope he will come home,” the chaplain said. “It’s important to have something for the students. They fell they’re at a loss. That’s why we put up the Wall of Hope. They feel they’re contributing by putting their thoughts and prayers on the wall.”

Michael added the teen years are difficult years, not only socially and academically, but also in terms of an individual’s faith journey. While their parents may have challenged their own beliefs when they went away to university, today, their teenage sons and daughters are asking those same questions.

“They want their independence,” she explained. “There are so many things surrounding them (that distract and tempt).”

Still, as difficult as Brandon’s disappearance is, the chaplain is trying to use it as an opportunity to bring the community together, to help her students grow and practise their faith.

“I believe in the power of prayer en masse. If we continue to pray, miracles do happen.”

Related Articles

St. Joe’s organizes special prayer service for Brandon
The special prayer service is still in the planning stages and could include music and...

Thousands join Facebook group to find Brandon Crisp
The site allows group members to stay up-to-date on the latest information or see photos...

Search continues for Brandon
Brandon has not made contact with others on his Call of Duty team over the Internet...

Eight long days for local family
Brandon left with a few basics in his backpack – including a polar fleece blanket, a...

Search continues for missing teen
The father of 15-year-old Brandon Crisp says his son's addiction to an Xbox game may have...

Barrie police search for missing boy

The search for a 15-year-old Barrie youth who has been missing since Oct. 13 is...

Helicopter brought in to search for missing teen
Brandon was wearing a burgundy American Eagle hoodie, under a yellow and grey jacket...

Spreading the word
The e-mails included a missing poster, which features a picture of Brandon, the same...

Disappearance a ‘wake-up call for parents,’ mom says
Since Brandon’s disappearance last Monday, his parents have learned a lot about the video...

Video games call teens to ‘duty’
The games enable them to be what they dream of being, and empower them to change the world...

Metroland offering reward in Crisp case
Anyone with information in the missing teen’s case is asked to contact Barrie Police at...

More Muskoka Common Sections|Finding Brandon Crisp Articles

Autopsy confirms: fall killed Crisp
The autopsy was conducted at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto on Friday, but the results were not released until 1 p.m. Saturday.

Body of Brandon Crisp found

Folks urged to help in Brandon search
The meeting place is at Burl’s Creek Park, and the search starts at 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Volunteers join in search for lost teen
One volunteer said any mother or father would feel the same, and that’s why she gave up some time and effort to look.

Rogers matches Metroland $10K reward
This, along with the $10,000 reward posted by Metroland Publications, will hopefully help find Brandon and return him safely to his parents.

Barrie police search for missing boy

Metroland offering reward in Crisp case
Anyone with information in the missing teen’s case is asked to contact Barrie Police at 725-7025.

Spreading the word
The e-mails included a missing poster, which features a picture of Brandon, the same poster that volunteers have been putting up throughout Barrie and...

Witness links Brandon to bike’s location
However, still no word from or about missing teen

Disappearance a ‘wake-up call for parents,’ mom says
Since Brandon’s disappearance last Monday, his parents have learned a lot about the video-gaming world.

SIMCOE.COM is an online publication serving the communities of Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood/Wasaga Beach, Wasaga, Stayner and Orillia in central Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission or republication of any material from simcoe.com is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Metroland Media Group Ltd.