L of C hosts Roy Petitfils May 17

Light of Christ Catholic Schools is hoping for a good crowd to attend a talk by counsellor and speaker Roy Petitfils next week.

Projects Co-ordinator Ramona Stillar said Petitfils was recommended by a former faith development co-ordinator and a school board member who attended the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, and heard Petitfils speak.

“He just really resonated and connected with them in terms of the message he sent,” Stillar said.

According to his website, Petitfils is “an internationally recognized expert in understanding and raising teenagers,” and is a therapist based in Louisiana. Petitfils has a master’s in Mental Health and School Counselling.

Petitfils is also known for a popular TedTALK, and an analysis of the Netflix TV series 13 Reasons Why (a teen drama), which has gained popularity online.

The North Battleford talk isn’t scheduled as a result of recent suicides, but rather was planned last spring. Stillar said Petitfils’ relevance to the community is coincidental.

Communication is a key theme in Petitfils’ message.

“Our hope is because of the timeliness of it, parents and anyone who works with youth in the community will learn how to more effectively communicate about issues that affect teens, and especially issues that are more difficult to discuss with teens.”

Resilience, strength and perseverance, Stillar said, are also themes, as is the idea of suicide being a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

The turnout isn’t certain at this point, but Stillar is hoping for a good crowd.

Petitfils will speak at the Light of Christ Learning Centre at 1202 - 105 St. on Thursday, May 17. The event is free.