What is CCO's statement of faith?
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate: he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scripture; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
With firm faith we believe all that is contained in the Word of God, whether written or handed down in tradition, which the Church, either in solemn judgment or by its ordinary and universal teaching authority, sets for our belief as revealed by God.
We firmly accept and hold each and everything definitively proposed by the Church concerning its teachings on faith and morals.
Moreover, we adhere with religious submission on intellect and will to the teachings which either the Roman Pontiff or the College of Bishops enunciate in the exercise of their authentic teaching authority, even if they do not intend to proclaim those teachings by definitive act.
We explicitly affirm that Jesus commanded all believers to proclaim the gospel throughout the world and to disciple people of every nation.
We explicitly affirm that leading others to a personal faith in Jesus through evangelization is our prime objective.
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Where does CCO get its impetus?
CCO believes that "Youth must not simply be considered as an object of pastoral concern for the Church. In fact, young people are and ought to be encouraged to be active on behalf of the Church as leading characters in evangelization and participants in the renewal of society." 1
Every Catholic, young or old, has a baptismal call to be active in the Church. "The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others. Our love for Jesus and for our neighbour impels us to speak to others about our faith." 2
Today’s young people are in need of Christ. "Everyone knows the problems which plague the environment in which young people live: the collapse of values, doubt, consumerism, drugs, crime, eroticism, etc. But at the same time every young person has a great thirst for God, even if at times this thirst is hidden behind an attitude of indifference or even hostility. The harvest is abundant! Although there are many young people seeking Christ, there are still few apostles who are ready to proclaim him in a credible way. There is a need for many priests, teachers and educators in the faith, but there is also a need for young people inspired with a missionary spirit, because it is young people who should become the first apostles of the young, in direct contact with them, exercising the apostolate by themselves, among themselves." 1
CCO has responded by dedicating their efforts to foster the faith of students and to train them to effectively reach out to others.
1 Pope John Paul II, Youth and Evangelization, The Pope Speaks, Vol. 37, No. 3, 1992, p. 140.
2 Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph no. 166, p. 47, 1994.
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What is CCO's history?
CCO was founded at the University of Saskatchewan by André and Angèle Regnier. Both were involved in a non-denominational university Christian group that was very successful in: motivating students to deeper conversion to Christ, developing leadership skills, and giving them a heart to serve the Church. The couple wanted to provide the same opportunities for growth to Catholic students.
Under the guidance and direction of Father Clair Watrin, the couple began to work out the vision and materials to begin such a movement. After receiving the approval of Bishop James Mahoney to begin this apostolate, they presented themselves to a meeting of the St. Thomas More chaplaincy. During the fall semester in 1988, CCO began by offering small Bible study groups on campus.
From a humble beginning of four students, the movement has rapidly grown to the point where it serves hundreds of students through an array of programs and outreaches.
In 1992, CCO became an officially incorporated non-profit organization and houses its headquarters in Saskatoon.
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What makes CCO particularly Catholic in its approach to evangelization?
CCO believes that evangelism is not primarily programs and methods but rather people sharing with people. What is most distinctive about CCO is that it is committed to living out the gospel of Jesus Christ in the context of the Roman Catholic faith.
As a guide to developing its programs there are three main aspects that stand out as particularly Catholic.
First, is CCO’s desire to ground its efforts for the evangelization and sanctification of men and women in the teachings received through Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium of the Church.
Secondly, CCO understands that evangelization is not just a one-time action or decision but a process. Although CCO does believe it involves an initial conversion, it must also include incorporation into the community, participation in the sacramental life of the Church (especially the Eucharist), a response to the universal call to holiness, and finally, in the words of Pope Paul VI, "the person who has been evangelized goes on to evangelize others."
Finally, as a movement CCO believes strongly in operating within the God-ordained structures of the Church and is submitted to the apostolic authority of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.
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How do Catholics react to CCO's work?
Catholics are increasingly aware of the need to evangelize our youth, and ever-increasing numbers of Catholics understand that evangelization is the essential mission of the Church and all the people of God.
A positive response to CCO is demonstrated through the support of bishops, priests, and other church leaders with whom CCO works. CCO receives funding from the Diocese of Saskatoon and from several other religious orders and groups.
CCO is also supported by the thousands of prayer and financial partners who make CCO’s ministry possible. Their faithfulness is the most obvious sign that Catholics are ready to see lay people involved in the work of the Church.
In the eyes of the Church, the staff of CCO are lay ministers doing the work of evangelists. To the students, CCO staff are peers who walk with them on their spiritual journey, building relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ. Because of this approach, the response to CCO is very positive.
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How is CCO organized?
As a spiritual entity, CCO works under the apostolic vigilance of the local bishop and serves under a priest who acts as CCO chaplain.
As a legal entity, CCO is an officially incorporated non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors.
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What kind of activities does CCO offer?
- Weekly, one hour on-campus faith studies
- One-on-one ministry and leadership training
- On-campus large group meetings with guest speakers
- Conferences and training on leadership and ministry skills
- Practical leadership and ministry opportunities
- University retreats
- Youth outreaches
- Summer Overseas Mission Projects
- Summer faith sharing/Bible study groups
- Sports and recreation
- Socials
- Friendships and fun
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What is involved in the CCO faith studies?
CCO has formulated four series of studies for small faith sharing groups. Each series focuses on themes (i.e. prayer, the love of God, forgiveness, etc.) with references to passages from Scripture and church documents.
The studies are not an attempt to teach theology nor supplement the course material taught at university; they are simply meant to reintroduce and ground the students in the basics of the Catholic faith and to challenge them to greater holiness by means of group discussion and discovery.
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What is involved in the one-on-one training?
In one-on-one training, a CCO staff member or a senior CCO student meets with a student to impart ministry training material and follow up on the material covered in the studies. It is not spiritual formation nor counselling. If issues of a more serious nature arise during this time, they are immediately referred to the CCO Chaplain or a member of the CCO advisory committee.
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What is CCO trying to accomplish through its programs, especially faith studies and one-on-one training?
CCO’s overall objective is to produce and equip "multiplying disciples." Multiplying disciples are men and women who are first and foremost disciples of Jesus Christ. They are growing in their love of God, holiness and wholeness, and commitment to the teachings of the Catholic faith. In turn they go on to disciple others. This means they are trained and motivated to 1) share their faith effectively, 2) lead a person to initial conversion, 3) follow up with someone who has just come alive in their faith, and 4) reproduce other multiplying disciples.
CCO hopes that when a person has graduated from college he or she will also be prepared to do one of three things: respond to a call from God to religious or clerical life, respond to a call from God to be an active, fruitful, and effective leader in their local parish, or respond to a call from God to work full-time in ministry or missions.
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How is CCO financed?
CCO is financially supported through tax-deductible donations made by individuals, parishes, Knight of Columbus and CWL groups, youth groups, schools, dioceses, and foundations.
The movement undergoes a yearly independent review of its finances, and public financial reports are filed with the provincial and federal governments.
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CCO’s mission suggests that it works solely at the universities. Is that all it does?
Although CCO focuses most of its efforts at the universities, over the years it has modestly branched out into other areas: youth retreats, overseas missions, young adult ministry, and elementary and high school outreaches.
Over the next few years, and as resources permit, CCO hopes to be able to develop more substantial ministries in these areas.
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What are CCO Youth Rallies all about?
CCO has been doing youth rallies all over the province since 1989 at the invitation of dioceses, parishes, youth groups, and schools.
A rally is run by CCO staff and university students who are willing to spend a weekend sharing their faith and excitement with the young people. CCO students receive training from the movement prior to the rally and gain practical leadership and ministry experience by taking part.
A CCO Youth Retreat consists of the following:
- simple talks
- skits
- student testimonies
- small group discussions
- activities
- recreation
- Mass (if possible)
- dance (optional)
CCO finds that the university students who help organize and present the retreats see their faith grow as much, if not more than that of the young people. In addition, several CCO students have gone on to become youth ministers in parishes across the province because of their personal involvement and experience with these CCO youth retreats.
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Is CCO part of the Charismatic Renewal, Opus Dei, or any other movement?
No. Although both CCO and other movements work in the area of evangelization, and at times cross paths, CCO is a separate entity with its own governing body.
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What is the "fruit" of CCO?
CCO began in 1988 with the belief that young Catholics have the potential to unite with the Church to change the future with the power of the Gospel. It has sown the seeds and has seen a harvest of fruit:
- the faith of several hundred university students strengthened through CCO campus programs, activities, outreaches, and mission projects.
- Spirit-filled CCO alumni working as: teachers, lawyers, engineers, nurses, etc. throughout the world and serving as active and capable members in their Churches.
- men and women from CCO pursuing vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
- men and women working on staff with CCO and other Christian ministries.
- several thousand young people reached with the Gospel message through CCO outreaches.
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How can I help support the work of CCO?
There are several ways you can support the work of CCO. The first and most important step is to pray and intercede for the success of the movement.
Second, you can help support the movement financially by donating money on a monthly, yearly, or one-time basis. Different payment options are available, including pre-authorized bank withdrawals. Contact the CCO office for more information.
Third, you can share with others the good work that CCO is doing or invite a CCO staff member to do a presentation for your group.
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How can I find out more information about CCO?
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to know more about CCO. We can send information to you in the mail or do a presentation for your group.
Our address is:
Catholic Christian Outreach
1247 Kilborn Place
Ottawa, ON
Canada K1H 6K9
phone: 613-736-1999
fax: 613.736.1800
e-mail: hq@cco.ca
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