Outreach taps into youths’ spirit

Catholic Christian Outreach builds on WYD experience

By GLEN ARGAN
WCR Editor
Edmonton

Then Peloso attended an evening put on by Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) at the University of Ottawa – a movie, a testimonial and a video about World Youth Day.

“They informed me that it wasn’t acceptable not to attend Mass every week and not to go to Confession. If I wanted to be Catholic, those were essential,” she told the WCR.

She got involved in CCO, attending weekly Bible study, going to Friday night socials and letting the organization help her refine her prayer and spiritual life.

“I owe who I am today to the ministry of CCO and the channel it created for the Holy Spirit to enter back into my life.”

Peloso was one of 275 mainly university-age Catholic youth from 22 colleges and universities across Canada who attended CCO’s Rise Up 2002 Conference at the Sheraton Grande Hotel, Dec. 28 to Jan. 1.

The conference featured talks by Father Tom Rosica, organizer of WYD, local evangelist John Connelly, Archbishop Thomas Collins and Father Stephen Penna of St. Joseph’s College.

The delegates filled their days with prayer, praise and worship. They sang with the music of Janelle Reinhart and other members of Life Vision Ministries. They discussed sometimes forgotten topics as fasting, defending the Church and improving your prayer life.

One speaker led the youth through a detailed discussion of the four marks of the Church – it’s one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

The archbishop fielded questions on truth and relativism.

They spent New Year’s Eve with a Mass at St. Joseph’s Basilica (that also included local WYD pilgrims) . . . and then a party.

It wasn’t the way most university students think of spending their Christmas vacation. But then these are not ordinary university students.

“The move back to Christ is really happening.” - Cameron MacDonald

They believe Canada is on the brink of a return to the faith that once made it strong.

“We believe that this group represents some of the finest young Catholics in the country,” said chief organizer Andre Regnier of Ottawa. “They have an apostolic heart.”

He might be right. CCO has fewer than 400 members at universities in only four Canadian cities – Saskatoon, Regina, Ottawa and Vancouver.

The organization has no plans to expand to Edmonton – “Stuff is happening here already,” says Regnier.

“The purpose of this conference is to build off the World Youth Day experience,” he said.

For WYD to have an impact across Canada, pilgrims needed to gather so they can grow in their leadership and apostolic abilities.

“These students will go back to their campuses and will have an impact in whatever ministry they’re involved in.”

Local students were awed by the conference.

Karen Lema said, “It’s really powerful to have a follow-up like this after World Youth Day and to see what the pope is calling us to.”

“It’s awesome!” said Cameron MacDonald. “The move back to Christ is really happening.” World Youth Day “is not over,” said Tammy Murza. “This conference just reminded us to keep it going, keep it going.”

And Michael Popek said, “They’re equipping us to go out and re-evangelize Canada.”

Certainly lives are being changed. Amy Peloso says at last year’s conference, while praying in Eucharistic Adoration, she came to understand “there’s no life offered outside the life God offers.”

A biochemistry student, she now sees her future in mission and evangelization. “The most satisfied I get is to see people experience Jesus for the first time.”

Her own experience provides the impetus. “A year ago my life was shattered. Then God just plucked me up from all the sin in my life.”

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