6 10 14 Rise Up : Q&A with missionaries 2015/16 Made for Greatness Tanya and Mark Annual Report MARIA JULIUS NICHOLAS RON REMY FOX BALITA ZAMBON SALVADOR TAKAM

MEMORIAL RYERSON COMMUNICATIONS HUMAN HUMAN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY RESOURCES RESOURCES

Grapevine is Catholic Christian Outreach’s annual publication, produced each year to celebrate our TANYA NATHANIEL JARREN JAMES Foundation Day of RODGERSON DE JESUS BATO M c NAUEAL October 18, 1988. Current distribution is HUMAN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF to 10,000 supporters RESOURCES OF VICTORIA OF BRITISH throughout COLUMBIA and the United States. It is also available online. For more information, contact communications@ cco.ca

Graphic spreads designed by Rachel Matero, FAITH Catholic EMMA STORM CHRISTOPHER JANLYN Publishing and HUNTER GOULD KEYES RATHGEBER Communications.

CONCORDIA DALHOUSIE VP PROGRAMMING FINANCE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY / SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY

from the founders conference recap missionary Q&A mission recap Year of Mercy Rise Up Montreal: An interview with Mission embodies surpasses great Made for greatness Tanya Rodgerson CCO core values expectations alumna testimonial missionary Q&A annual report CCO Students “I am CCO” An interview with A review of the Travel Many Mark Suezo 2015/16 fiscal year Tracks to a Christ- Centred Life

2 The Grapevine | Catholic Christian Outreach | 2016 FROM THE FOUNDERS YEAR OF MERCY SURPASSES GREAT EXPECTATIONS

BY ANGÈLE REGNIER, CCO CO-FOUNDER

t this time last year, we were preparing for the languages —Polish, Hungarian, German, Ukrainian and A Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. People Russian — was daunting. from within and without CCO kept asking us what our After weeks of investigating options, we had to face prophetic sense of the year was. What could happen? the reality: this might not be God’s will. Trying our best to How might God move? And to be honest … we had no practise holy indifference, we let it go. idea. Well, that’s not true; we knew God would move, Then, on a Friday at 3 p.m., during the hour of Divine and in a profound way. We trusted the Holy Father’s Mercy, there was a knock on our door. Literally. It was instinct that now was the time for the Church and the Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, who had been one of world to encounter mercy. Our 10 Year Vision is to the most enthusiastic supporters of this project from the “be protagonists in the mission of proclaiming Jesus beginning. He was insistent this needed to happen and clearly and simply,” and our year’s pastoral theme committed to some funding — enough for 100,000 book- to be “Ambassadors of Mercy” flowed from that. lets. The Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi also We were ready to seize any opportunities. gave great encouragement to realizing the project. Then, two weeks later, André was in Michigan on The year’s biggest surprise came with World Youth a totally unrelated visit, and had been telling a local Day in Poland. We should have known; St. John Paul Catholic leader about the project. This man was pierced II, the man who brought St. Faustina’s Feast of Divine by this possibility and offered the remaining funding on Mercy to the world, was at the centre. The International the spot. André called to fill me in. At 3 p.m. Center of Evangelization, a new initiative related to WYD, Four months later, we were in Krakow with a mission came to us with an extraordinary request: they wanted to team [more on pgs. 12-13] to bring the booklets to World use CCO’s “Ultimate Relationship” booklet. At least one Youth Day evangelists. Unfortunately, the booklets million copies. The challenge: this invitation came within weren’t there. They were delayed at customs. We six months of WYD, and we would need to find funding waited three days for word they had been processed, for the printing. with no success. We were finally notified that the This was an unprecedented opportunity for CCO truck was coming, and we spent hours eagerly POPE. to be a gift to the Church, through the booklet that awaiting its arrival. Dozens of friends came to help FRANCIS. we know changes hearts and lives. We entrusted it to us unload, and the truck’s rear doors swung open to RECEIVES THE. Sts. John Paul II, Faustina and Maximillian Kolbe, and reveal boxes and boxes of freshly printed booklets. GRAPEVINE !. immediately launched a project to see what might be The time? 3:58 p.m., the Hour of Divine Mercy’s last two possible. And we were blocked at every turn. The print minutes, in the city of St. John Paul II and St. Faustina. President Jeff Lockert deadlines were just too tight. The funding requirements Could we have ever dreamed of living the Year of presented Pope were too high. And translating it into the extra relevant Mercy the way we did? No, not specifically. But we ab- Francis with a copy solutely trusted it would be a year of great magnitude. of The Grapevine As always, God moved. We are so grateful for our Holy in Rome. Father’s invitation to encounter mercy, and so grateful to God for all the ways he moved.

“Instead of attempting to figure things out on my own, I now turn to Jesus in prayer. The selfish life I was living has lost its appeal. God’s mercy and personal relationship with me have allowed PAT CARLETON UNIVERSITY me to live a much more joy-filled life with everyone.”

cco.ca 3 CCO STUDENTS TRAVEL MANY TRACKS TO A CHRIST-CENTRED LIFE

a. Discovery Summitb. faith study (Eucharistic adoration event) Worda. of mouth

Fall c.retreats

Outreachb. tables AK VE INT E OL MEN V T START! IN

GREAT 1 2 PROGRESS!

Follow-upc. phone calls

Sociald. Rised. Up media

Parish announcementse. Missionse.

Discipleshipf.

4 The Grapevine | Catholic Christian Outreach | 2016 CCO STUDENTS TRAVEL MANY TRACKS TO A CHRIST-CENTRED LIFE

Disciplingb. peers Vocationb. (priesthood, religious life, single life, marriage)

Parisha. ministry

Leadinga. faith Organizingc. events studies

ADERSHI MISSION HEAVILY LE P M IN INVOLVED! O G C END! (BUT REALLY JUST 3 4 THE BEGINNING)

Missionaryd. disciple in everyday life Workc. in the Church MCingd. events

Sharinge. personal testimony

Representingf. on the Student Executive

cco.ca 5 CONFERENCE RECAP

BY LAURA- ANNE JENSEN LAURA HAS BEEN THE OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER FOR RISE UP, CCO’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, SINCE 2014.

out when someone connects to their Leah shared her story of how it sense of humour. I catch hands scrib- was as a model, under hot, bright PICTURED bling furiously across notebooks to fashion lights, where she felt her Conference keep a nugget of wisdom they don’t darkest. And it was there, in the mis- attendees enjoyed Mass celebrated ever want to forget. ery, where she encountered mercy. by priests and I see people being changed. As she revealed her journey and bishops, including Apostolic Nuncio My conference experience is also her realization that she was made he ballroom was on fire. Archbishop Luigi unlike attendees’ because I see a lot for more than the world offers, I T More than 700 young adults Bonazzi, worship of the behind-the-scenes coordina- could see hearts opening to the idea led by a talented had just encountered God’s love band and keynote tion that needs to happen for Rise that maybe, just maybe, they were language of mercy. Joy radiated speakers such as Up to run smoothly. This year in par- made for more, too. Leah Darrow. from the soles of their dancing feet It was a prayerful ticular (with flight delay after flight The timing of her testimony—right to the tips of their fingers stretched and powerful delay for multiple speakers) kept before a night of confessions and celebration toward heaven. Priests worked over- of faith. the conference team on its toes. Eucharistic adoration—was clearly time that night, hearing confession Main sessions were constantly orchestrated by God. That ballroom after confession from hearts ready being rescheduled. had been primed by speakers to to say “no” to the lies of the world The best example was Leah prepare the stage for Leah, who and “yes” to the promises of Christ. Darrow, former America’s Next Top helped prepare the way for a deep Model participant. She was orig- encounter with the Father. As speak- In the dark and cold of a Decem- inally scheduled to speak on the ers kept sharing about truth, I could ber Montreal night, we encountered morning of day two during a main see people changing, starting to the light and warmth of our Heaven- session, but ended up speaking at 5 understand the theme of the con- ly Father’s mercy. p.m. That time wasn’t a scheduled ference as the new year drew closer: I see Rise Up a little differently than session — it was a scheduled break, they were made for greatness. most. While conference attendees when people have dinner right Soon, I’ll see a lot of those same are looking at a speaker on stage, I’m before the evening program. With people — and new people, too! — often looking in the opposite direc- such a packed day, organizers knew at Rise Up 2016. I can’t wait to tion, at them. With camera in hand, I attendance might be a bit low, but it see how they’ve changed and get to watch people encounter God was the only option to try to make embraced greatness. As a throughout those five days of the the best of a tough situation. woman who holds the conference. I see eyes widen when We should never underestimate West Coast close to her someone speaks truth the attendee young people’s hunger for truth, heart, you know I’ll never had the words for. I watch as though. Because the ballroom, when be there. See you in mouths open and laughter tumbles Leah took the stage? It was full. !

6 The Grapevine | Catholic Christian Outreach | 2016 “ I SEE PEOPLE BEING CHANGED. ”

SAVE THE DATE!

This year’s Rise Up conference will take place Dec. 28, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 in Vancouver, BC. Register now at cco.ca/riseup

cco.ca 7 ALUMNA TESTIMONIAL

It is in these somewhat hilarious to fill out a survey and, frankly, exchanges involving a litany of unless the popcorn is artisanal,

BY MARLENA LOUGHHEED people from all over Canada that I don’t think the yuppies in my I am often asked: “Are you CCO?” neighbourhood would want it. Whenever two young, practising Catholics The phrasing makes it sound like I have very little left in my daily they’re asking if I am the move- life that resembles life as a CCO meet for the first time, there seems to be ment incarnate. student. And yet, I am CCO. an unspoken rule that they must find one As a young professional living in When I was a first-year student person they know in common. No matter downtown , I’m far removed at the University of , CCO from my CCO days. I can’t remem- had these brochures printed in how obscure the connection, it seems we ber the last time I put on a skit. My black ink on red paper that out- cannot rest until it’s been found. summer mission t-shirts are so old, lined all the reasons one should they’re back in style. It’s been years get involved. One of the reasons since I’ve offered anyone free food was to “pad your résumé.” I totally

8 The Grapevine | Catholic Christian Outreach | 2016 “The missionary work of CCO has made a significant difference with me in my life. I was shown how Christ works through us to reach others in SAM SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY our community such as myself.”

after graduation to intern with the that are intuitive to a CCO grad: Vatican’s representative at the we laugh a lot, we have uplifting United Nations in New York City. conversation and we support each Eventually, I found a great job other’s relationships with Jesus working for the Church in my field. and nurture our hearts for the lost. All that, even though I judged the We challenge one another to con- CCO brochure. The Lord is indeed tinue striving for holiness. kind and merciful. And as you can While I treasure these book see, CCO has vastly improved its club friendships, staying in a CCO print materials. bubble would defeat the purpose “Being CCO” doesn’t simply of our collective CCO experience. mean having an impressive résumé Weekly, we are strengthened to and an uncanny ability to work the go out and bring Jesus into our lyric slides for praise and wor- unique fields of mission. It’s in the ship. CCO’s primary mission is to community of people who share introduce students to the person a heart for discipleship where of Jesus and send them out as I’m encouraged to persevere as disciples for the renewal of the a missionary in this fast-paced world. It’s not just about what I can urban life. do as a young Catholic. It’s about I stay connected with CCO who I am: my missionary identity, beyond these ongoing friendships. which is rooted in a deep, personal In this stage of life, I feel called relationship with Jesus Christ. to support CCO prayerfully and Living in downtown Toronto, I financially. Why? Because our am daily bombarded with the influ- world needs more people who will ences of the world and the lie that embody the missionary identity happiness can be found in material inherent to CCO graduates. judged them on two counts. goods. I am incredibly thankful for I am proud to “be CCO.” It means “These guys are still using clipart,” the ties I made in CCO, and for the being Catholic. For me, it also I thought. Also, what could involve- CCO’s primary deep friendships that point me means waking up every morning ment possibly add to my résumé? mission is to back to the truth that there’s more and deciding to spend time in si- After four years as a student INTRODUCE to life than what this city tells me lence with the Lord in the midst of leader in Ottawa, one CCO summer STUDENTS TO to strive for. my city’s many noisy distractions. mission project in Vancouver and a THE PERSON Every week, I gather with some It’s in prayer that I am united with year serving as a full-time mission- OF JESUS and close friends for a Catholic wom- thousands of other alumni who ary in Halifax, I walked away with send them out en’s book study. I recently realized are actively living a relationship greater confidence and self-aware- as disciples for almost all the participants are CCO with Jesus Christ and renewing the ness as well as incredible skills the renewal of alumnae. I didn’t realize this earlier world, one person at a time. in leadership, fundraising, public the world. because we rarely talk about CCO. We are not simply people “for- speaking, and listening. CCO even Rather, we walk the CCO walk. We merly involved” with CCO. We are connected me with an opportunity build each other up in all the ways CCO.

cco.ca 9 MISSIONARY Q&A

Tanya Rodgerson is originally from Woodstock, ON, and is beginning work with the Human Resources team based in CCO headquarters in Ottawa, ON. She previously worked with CCO from 2000-2006.

Q&A WITH Q What would you be doing if you weren’t a CCO missionary? Tanya Rodgerson A Executive assistant.

Q Q Q Q What did you want What’s your Earliest memory? What words or phrases to be when you were phone’s lock A Chewing on my crib. do you most overuse? growing up? screen photo? A Um and like. A Fashion designer. A My dad Because I like clothes. and me. Q Q Q What keeps you What is one thing people don’t up at night? What trait do know about young people in A Not a whole lot. you most like the Church today? in yourself? A They’re open. A My humour. Q What trait do you most dislike in yourself? Q A Cynicism. What’s the most unexpected best part of your job? A Support-raising. I was totally dreading it. But since the last time I support-raised, I’ve grown in maturity; CCO has Q evolved and is providing excellent formation, accountability — and strong expectations. I think that’s what has helped make What was the moment you realized you it successful. God has just been providentially, unreasonably wanted to be a CCO missionary (again)? good to me. I am shocked at how generous people are. A I just experienced God’s invitation to live more audaciously or radically for Him.

10 The Grapevine | Catholic Christian Outreach | 2016 MISSIONARY Q&A

Mark Suezo is originally from Vancouver, BC, and is returning as a campus missionary at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. This is his third year with CCO. Q Most unexpected favourite part of Q&A WITH your job? A I was surprised how it didn’t feel like a job. It’s a Mark Suezo daily adventure, working with people you share values with. That’s been something I didn’t know I’d appreciate as much. Oh, and being able to travel able to travel the Q Q world without really Q expecting to. What did you want What’s your biggest What to be when you were accomplishment? mission growing up? A Making my parents would you want to First thing I had in proud by following A lead? mind was being an artist, God’s call. Q then possibly an actor. A One to China. What’s a book that changed your life? A The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence and Strength and Q Q Q Simplicity by Kevin Calica. What trait do you What was the moment What’s your most dislike in you realized you wanted phone’s lock yourself? to be a CCO missionary? screen photo? Q A Self-centredness. A After taking Discovery, and A It’s a What words or phrases realizing it would be really fun painting of do you most overuse? if I could do this every day and Jesus by get paid for it. I witnessed the Akiane. A Like and super. conversion of a student I led, and saw this is an amazing Q experience. What keeps you up at Q Q night? Q What’s your What trait do A Wondering What’s one thing people don’t know favourite you most like what kind of about young people in the Church? snapchat in yourself? adventure I’ll have tomorrow. That they’re incredibly hungry for faith, filter? A A Fearlessness. Different ways for belief, for hope, for purpose. Students A No filter, God worked in are actually very open. They are earnestly actually. that current day. trying to know God.

cco.ca 11 MISSION RECAP

OUR MISSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF EVANGELIZATION (ICE) was unique from the start. We had already long planned and announced Summer 2016 missions when ICE invited us to Poland. So, with fewer than six months before , we committed to sending a team.

Soon, we saw this would be just like any other CCO mission. And yet, in some ways, it was also nothing like any other one. It would de- mand that we express our core values at a much more intense level than ever before. We started planning our team’s participation before the ICE orga- EMBODIES CCO nizers had even released the day- to-day program. The early details indicated this mission demanded a special sort of participant. Someone with experience. Someone ready to drop right into spiritual conver- sations. Someone who could show incredible evangelistic initiative. Thankfully, we had a pool of just such people. Our WYD mission had core filled up quickly, and many of the people who had expressed interest were CCO campus and mission values alumni. They could be a perfect fit. Off they went — a super squad of 20 people, with decades of missionary experience among them. An apt team, really, for the leadership of CCO founders André and Angèle Regnier. The other trait shared by each team member was an embodiment of CCO’s core values. The first — abandonment to divine providence — came to life as soon as they said ‘yes!’ to going on the mis- sion. ICE was a new initiative. The uncertainty didn’t stop the team; it didn’t even slow them down.

12 A BREAKDOWN OF THIS YEAR’S MISSIONS They went wherever organizers asked them to go, leading festivals all over the city. The team shared Soon, we saw this the Gospel with an intensity that shouts another core value: seeing was just like any and seizing opportunities. At any other CCO mission. given moment, at any site, you INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF EVANGELIZATION would see participants sharing the And yet ... nothing POLAND UR, having spiritual conversations, like any other one.” praying with strangers. 16 PARTICIPANTS How else could 20 adults have 9 CCO STAFF managed more than 1,000 spiritual they told us they were praying for conversations in seven days? the mission team. They thanked Each day was hectic, with a us for a behind-the-scenes look demanding schedule and limited at what was happening, as it was breaks for food and rest. This hard happening. work and uncertainty would have Social media affected more than drained many teams. Unless, that just people on the homefront. An- is, the entire team lived CCO’s gèle Regnier said it best when she third, cherished, core value: holy returned home. The mission team IRELAND goofiness. The missionaries poured started to see the social media themselves into every moment of engagement, and “it gave dignity 13 STUDENTS mission with a joy that attracted to the work we were doing,” she 4 CCO STAFF even more opportunities. said. “It was the support from 4 IRISH YOUNG ADULTS Finally, a unique feature show- home that helped us to be coura- cased the mission’s intensity: geous and positive in the midst of unprecedented social media cov- a tough mission environment.” erage. For the first time, CCO sent The ICE mission was unforget- a Communications team member, table, not just for the 20 partici- Jonathan Hilsden, with a specif- pants, but for all of CCO. The team ic mandate to share the mission pushed the limits of what’s possi- with the digital world. And every ble on mission and set an inspir- day, Jonathan filmed, edited and ing example of embracing CCO’s released a new video. mission and core values. MEXICO Immediate response to his work showed we had struck a nerve. 14 STUDENTS The engagement — likes, com- PICTURED TOP LEFT 4 CCO STAFF ments and shares — on Facebook The mission team radiated joy in the skyrocketed, and the video earned midst of a demanding schedule. 5,245 views in the first 24 hours. As early as the second day, people PICTURED BOTTOM LEFT were asking when we’d release the CCO mission participants presented on next video. Through social media, festival stages throughout Krakow.

“It was through mission trips, fall retreats WORLD YOUTH DAY POLAND and faith studies that CCO taught me how to fall in love again with Jesus. It 39 STUDENTS was really through CCO that I learned 7 CCO STAFF 1 CHAPLAIN what it means to have a personal SARA-ANN OTTAWA UNIVERSITY relationship with Jesus.”

cco.ca 13 ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16

As chair of the CCO National Board of Directors, I wish to extend my gratitude to CCO’s faithful supporters and numer- ous volunteers across Canada. Thank you for your financial support, your encour- agement and your prayers. You enable us MR. DANIEL MR. DAVE MS. DEBRA ROUSSY MACKINNON VIOLETTE to continue our mission to reach out to CHAIR TREASURER SECRETARY young people and to be protagonists in the mission of proclaiming Jesus, clearly and NOT PICTURED: simply. As we conclude this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, may you and your MR. JAMES families be blessed by the Lord’s mercy. PELOSO MS. PAMELA HO

DR. MARCEL BISHOP SCOTT FR. RAYMOND D’EON –Daniel Roussy MCCAIG DE SOUZA

DONATION FACTS 2015/16 2014/15 Number of donations 62,457 53,841

Number of donors 8,967 8,192 *Numbers are rounded to Total number of monthly donors 4,732 4,014 the nearest thousand. Copies of audited statements are Average number of gifts per donor 7.0 6.6 available upon request. Average donation amount $77 $79 To the members of Catholic Average monthly donation amount $53 $52 Christian Outreach Canada Inc.: we have examined the financial statements of Catholic Christian Outreach TOTAL REVENUE* 2015/16 2014/15 Canada Inc. for the year General contributions $4,766,000 $4,198,000 ended April 30, 2016. Our examination was made in Conference contributions $309,000 $258,000 accordance with Canadian Mission contributions $303,000 $268,000 generally accepted auditing standards. In our opinion, Sale of literature & materials $130,000 $73,000 the total revenue and total Total revenue $5,508,000 $4,797,000 expenses shown left fairly summarize the related information contained in the financial statements TOTAL EXPENSES* 2015/16 2014/15 examined by us.

Program expenditures $4,162,000 $3,732,000 –Welch LLP Chartered Management & admin. expenses $762,000 $426,000 Accountants, Ottawa, ON Fundraising $567,000 $421,000 Total expenses $5,491,000 $4,579,000

14 The Grapevine | Catholic Christian Outreach | 2016 IN A SINGLE RISE UP SEMESTER ... 2015 40,308 total products sold 90 CANADIAN from CCO’s online store UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES REPRESENTING all students 10 provinces and eight U.S. states expressed interest in 720 UNIQUE getting REGISTRANTS, 62% involved plus about 80 staff members! URs

students came

to a faith study 110 participants lesson in missions, 23% including: Faith studies 86 students

faith study groups 24 staff 14.5% Books

students led TOTAL FACEBOOK FANS a faith study

0.5% Apparel IN ONE YEAR ... We reached 13,366 people with a Rise Up video on students completed Dec. 31, 2015 the Discovery faith with 754 study = 1,000 LIKES unique customers!

cco.ca 15 2016 CCO STAFF CCO Staff 2015/16

Catholic Christian Outreach is a university student /ccocampus movement dedicated to evangelization. We challenge Catholic Christian Outreach Canada @ccocampus young adults to live in the fullness of the Catholic Catholic Christian Outreach is a university student@ccocampus faith, with an emphasis on becoming leaders in the movementrenewal of the dedicatedworld. to evangelization. We @ccocampuschallenge young adults to live in the fullness of the Catholic faith, with an emphasis on becoming leaders in the renewal of the world. /ccocampus @ccocampus /ccocampus 41501527

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