Catholic Christian Outreach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Catholic Christian Outreach

Abbreviation	CCO
Established	October 6, 1988; 36 years ago (1988-10-06)
Founders	André and Angèle Regnier
Focus	Evangelization on Canadian University campuses
Headquarters	Ottawa
Region	Canada
Staff	126 (2019)

Catholic Christian Outreach Canada (CCO) is a Catholic group that helps students at Canadian universities. Their main goal is to help students connect with Jesus Christ. They also help students learn more about their Catholic faith. CCO encourages students to become leaders in sharing their faith with others.

CCO's main goal is to be "a university student movement dedicated to evangelization." This means they want to help students share their faith. They challenge students to live fully in the Catholic faith. They also help students become leaders in making the world a better place.

Discovering CCO: A Look at Its History

CCO was started in 1988 by André and Angèle Regnier. They began this group at the University of Saskatchewan. The Regniers had seen how excited other Christian groups were about their faith. They wanted to see the same excitement within the Catholic Church.

They found this energy in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. This is a movement within the Catholic Church that focuses on spiritual gifts. The Regniers worked with their local priest to create CCO. It was a program to help Catholic university students grow in their faith. It also taught them how to share their beliefs with others.

In 1992, CCO became an official non-profit organization. Its first main office was in Saskatoon. Later, in 2006, the main office moved to Ottawa.

Where CCO Helps Students Today

CCO started with just four staff members at one university. By 2019, it had grown a lot! Now, CCO has over 126 staff members. They work at sixteen different universities across Canada. CCO plans to expand to 20 more campuses by 2028.

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

Nova Scotia

Newfoundland and Labrador

Past Campuses Where CCO Was Present

How CCO Helps Students Grow in Faith

Students involved with CCO join weekly faith studies on campus. These studies help them learn more about their faith and how to live it. The materials use verses from the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They also use other Christian writings.

The studies use simple examples to explain spiritual ideas. They are designed for small groups to discuss in a relaxed setting. There are five main studies: Discovery, Source, Growth, Trust, and Commission.

CCO also hosts larger events for many students on campus. They offer one-on-one training to help students share their faith. There are also chances to become a leader. Students can attend spiritual retreats, fun social events, and prayer activities.

CCO created a small book called The Ultimate Relationship. It helps introduce people to basic Christian beliefs. This book has been translated into many languages. One million copies were given out at World Youth Day 2016 in Kraków, Poland.

Rise Up: CCO's Big Christmas Conference

Students praying during Eucharistic adoration at Rise Up 2011

CCO organizes a yearly Christmas conference called "Rise Up." It is one of the largest Catholic conferences for young people in Canada. In 2013, 850 students attended the conference in Ottawa.

Rise Up happens every year from December 28 to January 1. It includes talks, workshops, and live music for worship. There are also times for prayer, confession, and a New Year's dinner and dance. The conference helps students deepen their spiritual life. It also encourages them to share their faith with others.

CCO's Mission Projects Around the World

CCO has organized many missions both in Canada and in other countries. They have also attended several World Youth Day events.

IMPACT Canada: Summer Missions

The yearly IMPACT mission brings students from all over Canada together. They spend a summer doing missionary work in one city. Participants live together and work in teams at different churches. They lead faith studies and organize retreats and special events.

IMPACT also has a weekly event called Cornerstone. It includes skits, worship, and stories from students. There is also Catholic teaching. The Courageous Catholic program teaches people how to share their faith. A monthly Summit event includes worship, prayer before the Eucharist, and confession.

Other Missions: Sharing Faith Globally

Every Spring and Summer, CCO staff lead student teams on missions. These trips can be in Canada or in other countries. The goal is to share the Christian message in new places. They also help local people learn how to share their faith. These trips also help the students grow in their confidence and love for Jesus.

Where CCO Missions Have Traveled

See also

• Fellowship of Catholic University Students
• Saint Paul's Outreach