CCO's Foundation Began in Saskatoon Twenty Years Ago; Logo for Madrid's WYD Is Released

Catholic Christian Outreach co-founders Angele and Andre Regnier with their five children; board member Msgr. Gregory Smith (Vancouver) left, and President Jeff Lockert, right

Twenty years ago, the Regniers--newly-married and with a vision of evangelizing students, whether Catholics or not, on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon began a ministry that has grown to include a presence on campuses across Canada (the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver; the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon; Queen's University in Kingston; the University of Ottawa and Carleton University in Ottawa; Dalhousie University in Halifax; and, beginning in late August, Laval University in Quebec).

With sixty-two full time missionaries and the prospects of future growth, the Lord has blessed this enterprise. Additionally, many other campuses, thought they are without missionaries, carry on similar activities, are associated with the Movement or take part in such programs as this summer's Impact Saskatoon in eleven parishes here or the Christmas season conference known as Rise Up (held in Toronto in 2008, scheduled for Winnipeg this year).

Today and tomorrow, the annual board of governors meeting is being held at the Sisters of the Presentation Discernment House at 851 University Drive (not far from the U of S campus), where many of the early meetings of CCO took place. We began this morning with Mass, attended by the Regniers, the Sisters and the CCO board members. A delicious brunch followed the Mass:



Following a brisk walk atop the North Saskatchewan River, the board members set to work, evaluating the structures and procedures now being put into place to sustain this mission effort and to plan for the future.



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The designer of the 2011 Madrid World Youth Day (JMJ in Spanish), José Gil-Nogués, explains that the image symbolizes "youth of the whole world united to celebrate their faith together with the Pope, at the foot of the cross, and they form the crown of Our Lady of Almudena, patron of Madrid."

The crown forms the "M" of Mary and of Madrid and the cross, symbol of Christianity, presides over the event.

The message of the logo, the designer continued, is "a catechesis, an opportunity for evangelization: The quick and sure path to reach Christ is the Virgin Mary, Mother of God and of mankind. In Mary's faith, youth have the example and model for reaching Christ and fulfilling the primary goal of World Youth Day: to bring their message to the world."

"The logo has a firm and spontaneous stroke," Gil-Nogués suggested, "like youth of the 21st century. It is close, friendly, open. Joyful, carefree and positive."

"The use of a palette of warm colors--red, orange and yellow--transmits unmistakable warmth and friendliness, symbols of the identity of a city like Madrid, a nation like Spain. These colors also reflect the 'divine warmth' of Trinitarian Love."