G O O D

N E W S

FALL 2006 C O N T E N T S What began with a ‘yes’ . . . . . . 1 In memory of David Rodgerson . . . . . . . . 3

F R O M

C AT H O L I C

C H R I ST I A N

O U T R E A C H

God’s plan for my life: it all began with a

‘yes’

by STEPHEN NESTMANN CCO Student

G

rowing up I was blessed with a

wear off, I began going back to the same

holy Catholic family that raised

old habits. Shortly after, I got involved in

me in the faith, and traditions of

a CCO Faith Study, and a staff member

the Church. Throughout high school, I

suggested that I consider going on Impact

The road that lay ahead . . . . . . 6

began pushing my faith further and fur-

Canada. I did not even know what Impact

Volunteers and co-laborers . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

ther on to the back burner, to the point

was, but she explained that it was a four

where, although I was still active in my

month mission in Halifax, where we

parish, I lacked any encounter with the

would live in community and grow in our

Lord.

faith. Although I was not particularly

CCO’s newest staff . . . . . . . . . . 4 Staff teams/Christmas gift . . . . . 5

Campus Close-Ups . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 CCO alumnus makes first vows. . . . . . . . 10 CCO alumnus ordained to the Deaconate . . . . . . 11

HQ moved to Ottawa . . . . . . . 12

interested, something drew me to fill out

This trend continued into University. I

the application form.

made as little time as I could for anything concerning God, often just swinging by

Upon acceptance, all the pieces of the

Saturday evening Mass on my way to a

puzzle began to fall into place. After

party. In December, after just one semes-

renewing my commitment to Christ in a

ter, I found myself feeling empty and

CCO Faith Study, I was ready to go on mis-

could not figure out why. In January my

…continued on page 2

sister invited me on a retreat, which I eventually decided to attend. At this retreat I experienced God in a new way,

REACHING FUTURE LEADERS

and I prayed for the first time for Jesus to

TODAY

high I experienced at the retreat began to







enter into my life. After the emotional

▲

Stephen and his fiancée Erin, whom he met on Impact Canada in Halifax.

2

… with a

‘yes’

ment of Confession, I realized that things

week later, Andre Regnier, CCO Founder,

were sins that I didn’t even think were sins.

turned to me in the middle of a discussion,

For the first time in a long time, I yearned

and said “You should consider VINE”.

…continued from page 1

to go to confession. Shortly after, I went to

Again, I had no idea what this was. I found

sion, and live out my commitment. But

confession for the first time in two years.

out that it was like a year long mission,

when I got to the airport, doubt set in. I

When I came out, I experienced the joyful

where I would lead faith studies and dif-

thought to myself, “this isn’t you, what are

relief of having a clean slate, and starting

ferent events on campus in Vancouver.

you doing?”

new with the Lord.

Perfect. This was the answer to my desire

When I arrived in Halifax, I was picked

As the weeks progressed, I couldn’t read

up and brought to my home for the next

fast enough, I couldn’t have enough dis-

to continue to do missionary work. On VINE my personal formation con-

four months. I started meeting different

cussions; I just wanted to learn as much as

tinued, but most of all I found that in shar-

Impacters (people on the Impact mission),

I could. I wanted to know everything

ing this faith with others, my own faith was

some were discerning the priesthood/reli-

about my faith. Daily Mass and Eucharis-

strengthened. Working on campus was

gious life and some were as unsure as me.

tic Adoration became vital elements in sus-

different from Impact, but the formation I

After meeting my housemates and room-

taining this joy and fervor.

had received on Impact had given me the

mate, I knew that God was at work. At the

Throughout Impact, I could feel the Spir-

tools I needed. Looking back on Impact, I

first large group formation, I felt as though

it moving in my life and in the lives of those

can see that God took my uncertain yes and

I had jumped in the deep end to learn how

around me. We were split up into small

blessed it abundantly. The more I surren-

to swim. The feelings of doubt resurfaced,

teams and sent to parishes to make an

dered to Him, the more He fulfilled me,

but were replaced by a desire to go deep-

impact there. I ended up co-leading a faith

and revealed His plan for me. The more I

er. I saw the joy in my fellow Impacters,

study of about a dozen older women. It

surrendered, the more I was freed. The

and I knew that I wanted it for myself.

was amazing. Although I felt totally

more I gave up, the more I gained. With

As part of my Impact experience, I

unprepared and unqualified, God honored

each little yes, I was shown more of the

worked with CCO running day camps for

my willingness, and gave me the words

plan God has for my life.

children of the Archdiocese of Halifax. Part

they needed to hear. On Pentecost Sunday,

We know that God is faithful to those

of our preparation for the camps included

this experience intensified even further. I

who seek His will. He answers us as soon

weekly personal formation. After one of

knew that I had to continue living out my

as we turn to him, and it all starts by say-

these formation discussions on the Sacra-

call to be an apostle for Jesus. Less than a

ing a simple yes. ◆

If you or someone you know, between the ages of 18 and 30 has a desire to grow in their faith and learn to share it with others, and has a summer to give, then Impact! might be what you’re looking for. Impact is an opportunity for young people to live in community, receive formation, and do missionary work while working to earn money for the upcoming school year. To apply today, or for more information, check out Impact’s official website at cco.ca/impact2007.

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In Memory of

David Rodgerson

(1981-2006) ▲

Simultaneously, several initiatives began

ed and he succumbed to his illness. Short-

in the Archdiocese, all of which engaged

ly after he died several of us were dis-

David’s talents:

patched to share the news with the thirty-

• Our Lady of Schools, an experiment in

plus university students and friends who

avid Rodgerson passed away in

Catholic education, where he volunteered

were praying for him before the Blessed

Halifax’s Queen Elizabeth II

and developed a passion for teaching;

Sacrament. Together we prayed for his

Health Sciences Centre on Sep-

• Life Teen Halifax, where he served on the

repose, asked God’s blessing on Tanya and

D

tember 17 after a brief hospitalization. He

core team;

was twenty-five years old and had been

• The John Paul II Media Institute, an out-

gave thanks for his life and presence in our

married to CCO staff member Tanya Van

let for his creativity and interest in com-

midst. It was a deeply spiritual experience

Buggenhout less than a month. Tanya had

puters;

for us all. Though his time among us was

retired from CCO Staff this spring to prepare for her marriage to Dave and their new life together.

• The Knights of Columbus, for whom his youthful enthusiasm offered hope; • and CCO whose activities engaged his

short, David’s kindness, joy and gifts radiated the Light of Christ to us all. His funeral at St. Michael’s brought back

faith.

many who had celebrated the wedding a

Halifax in 1998 when he was a student in

On the CCO pilgrimage to Cologne’s

month earlier and many others. Though

the Foundation Year Program at King’s Col-

World Youth Day and beyond in the summer

there were sadness and many tears, there

lege of Dalhousie University. He was viva-

of 2005, he chose the Adoration Chapel of St.

was also a conviction that the promise

cious, witty, engaged about matters of his

Peter’s Vatican Basilica to propose marriage

Christ had made to David at his Baptism

faith and the studies in philosophy he was

to Tanya. The preparations for, and celebra-

had been brought to an all-too-early real-

pursuing. I came to appreciate his inquiring

tions of, Tanya and David’s marriage brought

ization (to our way of thinking).

mind, desire to learn, attempt to make sense

joy to their family and friends. The joy of the

May his memory be a blessing to all who

of his faith and the questions that came as he

wedding day, August 19th, was tempered by

knew him, may the Good Shepherd reward

journeyed as a disciple of Jesus. He tried to

the knowledge that David’s body was begin-

his labours and may he intercede for the

make his own the faith passed on to him by

ning to reject the transplant he had received

effectiveness of the mission he served in life-

a devout family in a parish that was his joy.

years earlier. Soon after the honeymoon,

that of bringing youth to a profound knowl-

It was at this parish where as a teenager he

David would return to hospital.

edge and love of Christ and His Church. ◆

I met David shortly after my arrival in

helped establish a youth ministry program.

His grave illness galvanized many--

During his studies David became ill and

young and not so young--to pray for his

underwent a bone marrow transplant. For

recovery, many knowing that a miracle

a time his health improved and he delight-

would be needed for him to do so. The St.

ed in life, especially when he fell in love with

Joseph Newman Centre at Dalhousie

Tanya, who had come to Halifax with Caitlin

became a centre of round-the-clock inter-

Currie as the first CCO leaders at Dalhousie

cessory prayer for David and Tanya at that

University, following the momentous

critical moment. Early on Sunday evening,

Impact Canada in the summer of 2004.

September 17 David’s condition deteriorat-

Archbishop Prendergast and Dave.

David’s family, shared stories of his life, and

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by TERRENCE PRENDERGAST, S.J. Archbishop of Halifax Member of the CCO National Board of Directors

Tanya and Dave in Rome.

4

Introducing

CCO’S newest staff AMANDA SINCLAIR is a Campus intern at Ottawa University and was married this summer to Ian Sinclair.

JACKIE MURPHY is a Campus intern at Carleton University in Ottawa.

JENNIFER BOYER is the Coordinator and leader of the VINE house in Vancouver.

JANLYN RATHGEBER is a VINE staff member in our Headquarters in Ottawa.

STEPHEN KAIP is a Campus intern at the University of Ottawa.

ALEISHA CURRIE is a VINE staff member in Vancouver.

TALITHA LEMOINE is a Campus intern at the University of Saskatchewan.

SARAH COGAN is the newest member of CCO’s HQ VINE program.

GARTH HOUGH is a Campus intern at Simon Fraser University.

LEE LEONARD is a VINE staff member in Vancouver.

MELISSA WESTGEEST is a VINE staff member in Vancouver.

ANDRE DOUCETTE is a VINE staff member at Douglas College.

5

VANCOUVER National Staff Brett Powell – National Director Tiffany Cathcart – Assistant to National Director Jackie O’Donnell – Director of Missions and Conference Coordinator Douglas College Rob Kraemer – Team Leader Garth Hough – Campus Intern Simon Fraser Eric Chow – Team Leader Amber Zolc – Campus Staff VINE House Jennifer Boyer – Vine Team Leader Aleisha Currie – Vine Staff Melissa Westgeest – Vine Staff André Doucette – Vine Staff Lee Leonard – Vine Staff

SASKATCHEWAN University of Saskatchewan Jeremy Rude – Team Leader Christy Gaudet – Campus Staff Johnny Hickey – Campus Staff Talitha Lemoine – Campus Intern Erin Hickey – Campus Staff/Transitional HQ Office University of Regina Sister Mary Jane Beavis – Second Year Formation Coordinator

OTTAWA Ottawa University Michael Hall – Team Leader Holly Chevalier – Campus Staff Amanda Sinclair – Campus Intern Stephen Kaip – Campus Intern Carleton University Matt Farnand – Team Leader Crystal Kline – Campus Staff Jackie Murphy – Campus Intern National Staff Amy Hall – Internship Director (taking over for Angèle Regnier who is on Maternity leave) André Regnier – Regional Director in Ottawa National Headquarters Jeff Lockert – National President Kelly Boyko – Finance and Development Director Noli Mababangloob – Information Technologist Cheryl Lina – Interim HQ Staff Janlyn Rathgeber – HQ Vine Sarah Cogan – HQ Vine Michelle Perrault – HQ Staff

After years of faithful service we honor Tanya Rodgerson, Kris Dmytrenko, and Amanda Cuzzetto. Thank you for the eternal impact you have had in the lives of those you ministered to on campus, and God bless you as you follow His call.

HALIFAX Dalhousie University Eric Myatt – Team Leader Michelle Buissé – Campus Staff Caitlin Currie – Campus Staff

StaffT E A M S Give the gift of Joy this Christmas!! Are you having trouble coming up with the perfect Christmas gift idea? Why not give the gift that truly keeps on giving! CCO is excited to invite you to take part in the work of evangelization by giving your loved ones the gift of joy this Christmas- the gift of a missionary! Christmas celebrates the day when God gave the world the gift of eternal life that is in Jesus. Join us in celebrating His birth by greeting your family and friends with the gift of the living Gospel.

How do I give the gift of a missionary? You can give the gift of a missionary by making a tax-deductible donation of $25 or more to the CCO missionary of your choice in honor of your family member or friend. Your gift will mark the beginning of a life giving partnership, including a relationship with your missionary and a personalized Christmas package to give to your loved one. This package will include: • A special Christmas greeting acknowledging the donation you have made on their behalf. • An introduction to the missionary your donation was designated to. • 1 year subscription to the Grapevine, CCO’s national newsletter • 1 year of personal newsletters from your CCO missionary. This gift is the perfect way to share your heart for evangelization with the ones you love. Not only are you sharing your joy with those who receive your special gift, but with the hundreds of students whose lives are made brighter because of your contribution. To give the gift of joy this Christmas contact the CCO National Headquarters at (613) 736-1999, or email us at [email protected] by December 18th, 2006.

6

The

E

road that lay ahead

arly in the year 2004 I met an incredibly enthusiastic man by the name of André Regnier, CCO Founder, who joined me and a group of my friends for dinner at the university pub. His excitement spurred from this group called Catholic Christian Outreach, a group only known to me through their Discovery faith study which was ordered by our chaplain earlier that school year. There was a growing group of Canadian university students excited about their Catholic faith? This was news to me! Already wanting to grow deeper in my faith, my interest was certainly piqued when André told us about a Catholic summer mission project called Impact! Canada 2004 that was coming to Halifax. I think André knew exactly what was in store for me in joining the summer mission but I did not foresee the road of faith and leadership formation that lay ahead. I applied, but was hesitant in my decision to pursue Impact! right

ALU M N U S

up to the first day that I met the other 55 Canadian Catholic university students whom I was to spend the summer with. When I went to the first Impact! event I had never witnessed Praise and Worship before, but as I saw Catholic youth singing zealous praise to God, I fell totally head over heels in love with the Lord – I was very touched! This was the start of a further conversion and devotion to my faith and to being an apostle. It is an understatement to say that Impact! was successful in impacting lives that summer – especially mine! That fall CCO was in full swing in Halifax as it established itself at Dalhousie University. As a student of Dalhousie, I was excited to be involved in CCO’s mission to evangelize on campus and change lives! Not only was I given the opportunity to help others to develop a relationship with Christ, but my faith was nurtured, personal relationships with others fostered, leadership skills developed and selfconfidence built. The fellowship that I have received from CCO was life-changing. I have made many good friends from not only my own faith community in Halifax, but from across the

I N

by SAR AH BUCKLE CCO Halifax Alumnus

country. CCO has connected the Catholic youth of Canada in an incredible and supernatural way. I have recently graduated from Dalhousie and am currently in Toronto as the Executive Director of National Campus Life Network, an organization dedicated to supporting, networking, and motivating pro-life university students in their efforts to spread the “culture of life” on campuses across Canada. This organization was in part a response to our late Holy Father’s call, to “place your intelligence, your talents, your enthusiasm, your compassion, and your fortitude at the service of life!” This is something that CCO helped establish within me, particularly through the 2004 CCO Rise Up Christmas Conference, the theme of which was the “JPII generation.” The leadership skills and self-confidence I developed and the support network of friends I gained, all a result of my involvement in CCO, is not only helpful, but necessary in the success of my current position. I am forever grateful for CCO’s contribution to my development as a young Catholic and for teaching me to be an instrument of change in our culture. ◆

CCO’s 2006 Rise Up Christmas Conference Jesus: Our Heritage & Our Hope December 28th, 2006 to January 1st, 2007 Hilton Québec, Québec City, QC Rise Up 2006 will draw together young adults from across Canada to Québec City, the origin of our faith in Canada and the location of the International Eucharistic Congress in 2008. Join us as we discover the richness of our faith that is deeply rooted in our heritage and share in our desire to bring Hope to this country and the world. For more info and to register go online at www.cco.ca/riseup. This Rise Up will be CCO’s first bilingual national event! If you have any questions you can contact [email protected].

AC TION

7

Volunteers and Co-laborers Cliff and Nicole, a retired couple living in Saska-

From shredding paper, to stuffing

toon and long-time supporters of CCO, went above

envelopes, to sending the mail, to entering

and beyond giving not only of their finances and

data, we enjoyed it all. Jeff, Kelly, Michelle, and Noli, we miss

prayers, but their hands and hearts as well! They

The staff made the day so pleasant for us.

were an answer to prayer for extra help in the HQ,

They were patient when teaching us new

especially on days when the workload was diffi-

computer programs, and when mistakes

Saskatoon’s loss was Ottawa’s gain. So,

cult to handle on our own. We consider them hon-

were made, fixing them never seemed to be

if you would like to share a day or two a

orary staff members and cannot thank them

a problem.

week, with some fun, energetic and full of

We really felt part of the CCO team. We

love for God people, seek out the CCO

shared our lives with them and they in turn

Headquarters in Ottawa, you will be

t was always a good morning, when we

told us about their families, friends, their

blessed.

volunteered two days a week at CCO’s

goals, how they wanted to do God’s will

Headquarters in Saskatoon. We looked

and His work of evangelization. Oh, and

enough for the contribution they made to CCO.

I

you lots.

Clifford & Nicole Pyle, Saskatoon If you would like to volunteer to help CCO, please contact us at 613-736-1999

they love God.

forward to working with those happy faces.

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Another way you can help!

If you are not already a monthly giver, CCO would like to extend the invitation to you to partner with us in the New Evangelization through your monthly financial contributions. By becoming a monthly ministry partner, you are helping improve the lives of CCO missionaries. The consistency of a monthly donation enables CCO missionaries to efficiently plan their finances allowing a greater amount of time to be concentrated on campus evangelization. Please consider giving – we cannot do it without you!

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Yes! I want to support the work of Catholic Christian Outreach

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I want to support on a monthly basis in the amount of: ■

$500

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$300

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$200

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$100

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$50

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$25

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Other: $_________________

I hereby authorize Catholic Christian Outreach to arrange automatic deductions from my bank account or credit card on the: ■

1st or the

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16th of each month for payments of my monthly support:

Commencing __________________________ Designated to be used for: ________________________ MONTH

STAFF MEMBER, SPECIFIC PROJECT, OR CCO GENERAL

Signed ________________________________ Date __________________________________________ SIGNATURE

MONTHLY GIVING PLAN OPTIONS ■

Pre-Authorized Bank Payments (Please enclose a sample cheque marked “VOID”. The sample cheque will provide us with the information necessary to begin automatic deductions.)

for ming future leaders today

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12 post-dated cheques, which I have enclosed. (Please make cheques payable to Catholic Christian Outreach.)

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Visa

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MasterCard

Card # Expiry Date: Billing Address:

/ (Information required for authorization)

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campus C L O S E - U P S

young people sitting together at Mass, filling the front pews. Furthermore, the CCO Halifax worship team does the music at Mass once a month which has been well received by all parishioners. We hope that this initiative will be a witness to the parish of the love and zeal young people have for Christ and his Church, while giving students added motivation to attend Mass on Sunday.

Carleton

This year sees major changes at Carleton University, for students as well as for CCO. FROM ACROSS CANADA Two new staff members, Matthew Farnand and Jacqueline Murphy have found their new during our initial mission week at the beginhome at Carleton, excited to begin working ning of September started off the year with with the students on campus. We expect this Events in Ottawa have begun with great much excitement, enthusiasm and hope for semester to be a foundational one, where momentum. This year’s Fall Retreat at camp all that God has in store for Ottawa this year. strong focus on faith studies will build up a Iawah was one of Ottawa’s largest and most core group of new leaders at Carleton. We are successful. Students from the University of already seeing this happen, as many Ottawa and Carleton University were joined first year students came out to by a number of students from Queen’s UniCCO Halifax is help with our outreach popversity as well as various other universities really starting to corn tables the first week of in southern Ontario. grow. We had a classes. Carleton has Also, given the recent move of CCO’s record attendance opened up new spaces for National Headquarters from Saskatoon to at our Fall Retreat students on campus with Ottawa, the students were blessed with with almost twice the addition of a new cafeextra leadership as the office staff joined as many people teria and atrium. This new them for their first event. This event as well attending than the previspace allows for more opportuas our first outreach event on campus “The ▲ Some students who ous year! Momentum connities to reach out to students en Guide to Survive” was a Spirit-filled sucattended Ottawa’s fall tinued to the campus as we mass with weekly tables. With the cess. The event included a talk given by retreat in September. had a barbeque outreach help of some new and old student CCO’s President Jeff Lockert, and was where over fifty people leaders, we were able to use this to geared to show students how leading a balattended, almost half of them newcomers our advantage to get over 100 Catholic conanced lifestyle, that includes Christ, is the to CCO. As the movement grows here, we tacts during our mission week. This has transkey to university survival. This semester’s are creating new ways to get students excitlated into twelve weekly faith studies at Carkick-off outreach was our most successful. ed about Christ. leton this semester. We are looking forward to The presence of over twenty new students One new initiative this year is fostering a building community on campus through the that had been contacted for the first time culture of going to Mass together as a com“Progressive Supper” at the end of October, munity. We are really blessed to have a welwhere students go house to house (and course coming parish near the university that is to course) in a traveling meal while hearing young and vibrant. This year, every Sunday, testimonies and experiencing fellowship. We we meet on campus and walk to Mass are excited and expectant in what God has in together. It is really great to see so many store for Carleton this semester.

Ottawa

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Halifax

Amy Hall face painting in Downtown Ottawa on Canada day.

9

CCO Saskatoon kicked off the school year with our first Fall Retreat in quite a few years. Sixty-one students drove Three and a half hours to Camp Lemieux for a weekend of revival and retreat. We all left pumped up and ready for what God had in store for this upcoming year. From the retreat, we jumped right into a week of 60-second surveys, and follow-up meetings with those who signed up. We ended the mission-week mayhem with a barbeque on campus. The rain cleared long enough for the event to be a big success! We had lots of new students come out; it was an amazing opportunity for them to meet and get connected with the movement. September came to an end with a time warp, as the ladies dug out their eighty’s duds for a movie and smoothie night. Meanwhile, the boys bonded over a game of Ultimate Frisbee, and indulged in LARGE amounts of pizza. Glory, Adoration, and Praise (GAP) was our first October event. What better way to start the month than in the Splendor of His Majesty. God has great plans for the U of S this semester; we look forward with anticipation to all the many ways the Holy Spirit will move in us this year.

Regina

CCO Regina has seen some amazing things happen already this semester! We handed out over 200 boxes of Kraft Dinner during Welcome Week to everyone who completed our survey. Many new people expressed interest and have come out to CCO events. We kicked off the year with a welcome BBQ in which close to forty people came out for fellowship, a lot of great food and some pretty crazy Pictionary and Charades! Our Faith Studies are up and running and they have grown tremendously this year. We have six Discovery groups alone! We also welcomed our new CCO

staff member. Sr. Mary Jane Beavis, who belongs to the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, comes to us from Saskatoon. She has been such a blessing working with CCO Regina and this year’s Core Team of Marcee Brodner, Leanne Sebastian, Alan Lien, and Reed Miller. CCO Regina’s upcoming events include prayer nights, a men’s and women’s night, an evening with Father Thomas Rosica discussing the challenges of being a Christian today, and much, much more! Things have really grown through the blessing of the Lord and we are seeing lives change. Praise God!

Simon Fraser

God has blessed us abundantly with students this year! With a campus team of five missionaries, we have been able to cast our nets far and wide! We had a record number of students sign up at our club days table, and our survey was very successful! Out of 1000 surveys filled out, almost 700 people left contact information! God has also blessed the campus with strong student leaders. Our student executive has generously given their time and effort to help with the survey, the phone calls, and the meetings. Many of them are also leading their own Faith Studies! This past month CCO Vancouver also teamed up with the Youth Ministry Office to hold a large Adoration event for teens and young adults. The event was called “Source and Summit”. Over 500 people attended and it was a very powerful and intimate time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. One of our students from SFU, Cesar, shared his testimony on how the Eucharist gave him confidence and encouragement in dark times. Here at SFU there are many students

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with huge leadership potential, who are just beginning their time in the movement. Please pray for them!

Douglas College

Students searching for purpose! Of 662 surveys handed out on campus as part of our initial outreach, an amazing 530 students left their information and have been contacted by the CCO team at Douglas. Thirty percent is a usual return on the survey, but eighty percent is astonishing. This fits with other signs on campus. Young people are searching for meaning and most of the time they do not know where to find it. They look in many areas, but are usually left wanting. This is why we are on campus. We offer students hope, purpose, and direction. We show them the difference Jesus can make in their lives. Due to the high number of contacts, we have started a dozen CCO Discovery Faith Studies this semester. Praise God for what He has started, and will continue to do, as the students of Douglas continue to search for the Way, the Truth, and the Life, who is Jesus! ◆

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Saskatoon

Vancouver students giving away free hot chocolate.

CCO Regina’s Core Team.

10

CCO Alumnus makes first vows

Consecrated to by KIRST Y SANESH sister to S r. J a n n a Tu m b a c h

Religious Life

In September of this year Sister Janna Tumbach professed her first vows with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. Janna was involved as a student leader– is an inspiration to others for her intelligence, great sense of humor, fun-loving nature and faith in God. Janna attended CCO’s Impact Canada 2002, and spent time in CCO’s Headquarters for volunteer experience as part of her formation.

M

y sister is Sister Janna Tum-

with my mom and dad. Just as a bride to

join the congregation of Sisters, and Bish-

bach of the Sisters of the Pre-

her Bridegroom, she was truly coming to

op Blaise lay his hands on her head and

sentation of Mary. This fall, I

commit herself, every aspect of her life and

spoke the sacramental words of consecra-

had the honour of attending her first vows-

hope, to her spouse, Jesus. Bishop Blaise

tion to religious life. What joy emitted from

what an experience! The entire day was

celebrated with us. The Holy Spirit was

the chapel as her family, united with her

dedicated to the celebration of Sr. Janna

very present as Janna stated to Bishop

new family, congratulated her with

and her profession of poverty, chastity, and

Blaise, her Mother Superior, Sr. Lise her

applause and song. We celebrated the

obedience, and was centered within the cel-

Noviciate Director, and the rest of the con-

Eucharist in a communion of faith and pure

ebration of the Eucharist in the Mass. As

gregation the steps taken during her dis-

joyful anticipation, as we were inspired to

her family, we were considered the guests

cernment and what she learned. She asked

more fully live what we had each professed

of honour, which was a humbling experi-

acceptance from her community and per-

and been created to live. In closing, Sr. Jan-

ence in the presence of so many life-giving

mission to join them, and then spoke the

na knelt before a statue of Our Blessed

Sisters!

We all gathered in the morning

words that would commit her heart to liv-

Mother, and prayed a prayer of devotion as

within the beautiful chapel at Rivier Acad-

ing in true poverty, chastity, and obedience

her daughter. The celebration continued

emy in Prince Albert. The sisters began

within the grace and love of Christ Jesus.

with lunch, song, presentations, and joyful

singing while Janna walked down the aisle

Her Mother Superior gave her blessing to

fellowship until evening. The celebration, however, is far from over. She has truly become more and more the Janna I know and love, as she gives herself more and more to her beloved spouse, Jesus.

She

has now made her first temporary vows. With continual discernment, she will renew her vows each consecutive year until it is determined by herself, her spiritual director, and her community that she is prepared to make her final vows. CCO has played such a large role in my ▲

Sister Janna is right of Bishop Blaise from the Diocese of Prince Albert, SK, with her family – Darryl and Eileen Tumback, Kirsty and her husband Brad.

life, my Sister’s vocation, and countless other lives – what a blessing!! ◆

11

CCO Alumnus ordained to the Diaconate

Go and teach all people my gospel by ELAINE MILLET TE, sister to Deacon Darryl Millette

▲

Deacon Darryl with his sister Elaine (on his right) and fellow CCOers.

“Alleluia Go and teach all people my gospel. Alleluia!” (Mark 16:15)

beautiful; it was simple, but very meaningful. Darryl was dressed in his vestments

T

hese words were sung during my

Darryl spent an internship year in Mack-

(the deacon’s stole and dalmatic) by a fel-

oldest brother’s ordination to the

lin, Saskatchewan. They loved him, so they

low deacon, and then received the kiss of

diaconate as he was being vested

were only too happy to hold the ordination

peace from the Bishop and from the other

for the first time in the stole and dalmatic.

at St. Mary's Church. Several priests

deacons who were present.

Darryl Millette was ordained for the Dio-

attended, as well as our home parish priest

I don’t think a person could feel more

cese of Saskatoon on May 29, 2006 by Bish-

from Nipawin, Sk. Many people came

honoured to have someone for a brother

op Albert LeGatt. It was a wondrous event!

from different parts of the province. St.

than this, or to feel more proud of him. As

My brother is a long-time member of

Mary’s parish welcomed us with open

a deacon, Darryl can already officiate at my

arms!

marriage and baptize my children; how-

CCO, first joining as a student in January of 1997. Since then, he has been involved

An ordination to the diaconate is quite

ever, I think I will wait to go to him for con-

with music ministry, led faith studies, was

similar to an ordination to the priesthood.

fession until he is hard of hearing!! My

involved with the CCO student executive,

Bishop LeGatt asked one of the formation

parents always taught us to discern voca-

put in many hours working on CCO’s web-

team members from the seminary if Darryl

tions, and to be open to God’s calling. I

site, and worked among office staff from

was worthy for the diaconate. Then Dar-

am sure that being a priest will not be easy

2001 until he left for the seminary. It is my

ryl had to make solemn promises of celiba-

for him, but I see that Darryl has such great

honour to share this joyous occasion with

cy for the sake of the kingdom, respect and

peace. I pray for that peace in my own life.

fellow CCOers from across Canada.

obedience to the bishop, and to pray the

He knows this is God’s calling for him. He

Darryl first entered St. Joseph Seminary

Liturgy of the Hours daily. Then he pros-

will indeed “Go and teach all people

in the fall of 2002. Since then, he has taken

trated on the floor of the church in an act of

[Jesus’] gospel!”

the appropriate steps towards his ordina-

submission while the Litany of Saints was

tion to the diaconate, and, God willing, to

sung.

the priesthood.

The actual ordination itself was very

I encourage you to pray for vocations, for our priests and seminarians, and for Darryl on his journey! ◆

12

Headquarters has moved to Ottawa b y M I C H E L L E P E R R A U LT

Archbishop Luigi Ventura and Monsignor Gregory Smith celebrating Mass at the grand opening.

fter a week of packing boxes, and

A

Many students and staff from Ottawa came

loading all of the furniture and

to welcome us and help with the painting

household goods into our big

and unpacking. Archbishop Gervais

moving truck, on July 31st, Jeff, Kelly, Noli

stopped by to welcome us to Ottawa and

and Michelle along with Isaac, Jeff’s son

the Archdiocesan Centre.

and Charlene Boyko, Kelly’s sister, all

It did not take us long for the office to

embarked on a cross-country trek from

become fully functional. We are all very

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Ottawa,

pleased with our set up. It is much larger

Ontario. This was all a part of the moving

than our old office and we have room to

of CCO’s National Headquarters. It was a

grow.

beautiful scenic drive that lasted three days.

At the end of September, Erin Hickey

One of the highlights was stopping in Mid-

arrived to help with the transition and new

land, Ontario to see the Shrine dedicated to

staff orientation. She stayed for a month

the Canadian Martyrs.

and was able to attend the official grand

Once we arrived in Ottawa, there was

opening that we held on September 23rd.

much to do in

The CCO National Board members were in

order to prepare

attendance and many supporters and stu-

the office. We

dents from the area attended Mass that was

began by paint-

celebrated by the Papal Nuncio, Archbish-

ing the walls

op Luigi Ventura. It was a lovely evening

before all of our

and a wonderful way to end this transition.

furniture

The Lord has blessed us indeed with our

and

boxes arrived.

new office in Ottawa. Praise the Lord! ◆

C ATHOLIC CH R I STIAN O U T R E A C H C A N A D A Catholic Christian Outreach is a university student movement dedicated to evangelization. We challenge young adults to live in the fullness of the Catholic faith, with a strong emphasis on becoming leaders in the renewal of the world. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:

C a t h o l i c C h r i s t i a n O u t r e a c h C a n a d a • 12 47 K i l b o r n P l . , O t t a w a , O N K 1 H 6 K 9 C a n a d a Telephone: (613) 736-1999 • Fax: (613) 736-1800 • Email: [email protected] • Web Site: www.cco.ca

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