Our Mission Statement
Catholic Christian Outreach™ (CCO™) 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.
CCO's Five Tenets
University
Students
At a time when young people are making decisions that shape the course of their lives, we introduce them to Jesus and help them become leaders who will renew the world.
The Gospel
Clear & Simple
Our faith is based on a personal, life-giving encounter with Christ. We present the Gospel message in a relevant and straightforward way.
One Person
at a Time
We believe each individual matters and should have the chance to hear about God’s love and mercy. We take the time to accompany young adults as they draw closer to Christ.
A Heart for
the World
CCO has a heart for the world, aware that salvation is offered through Christ for all people. We reach out with the Great Commission in mind.
Great
expectations
God has done such great things in our midst, and we have so much hope for what He can do in and through us. We trust in His faithfulness.
CCO's Three Pillars
PROCLAIM
EQUIP
COMMISSION
The three pillars of CCO are to proclaim, equip and commission. It is our belief that a clear and simple proclamation of the Good News of Jesus is urgently needed in the world, even among Catholics; this is the mandate of the New Evangelization. Having proclaimed the Gospel, we then seek to equip those who have experienced conversion with the necessary skills to evangelize others. Our method cooperates with the Holy Spirit, hoping that all people will internalize and put into action the great task Jesus gave his disciples, “to go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18).
Our goal is to share the message of Jesus and to spread His mission. This mission is to form apostles—believers who, through the empowerment and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, send others to proclaim the message.
Founders
Angèle Regnier
ANGÈLE REGNIER was born on November 29, 1966 in Leask, Saskatchewan and received her Bachelor of Education cum laude from the University of Saskatchewan.
Along with her husband André, Angèle founded Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) in Saskatoon in 1988. For over 3 decades CCO has been effecting change in the lives of the university students to whom it ministers, calling them to a conversion to Jesus Christ and to live actively as missionary disciples. Currently they work at CCO’s national headquarters in Canada’s national capital, Ottawa. CCO is increasingly supporting the work of parish renewal through the same methods and materials they have seen success with on campus (see cco.ca/parish).
Angèle grew up in a strong Christian home and had a deep experience of God’s personal love as a Grade 12 student when she attended a youth conference. She had the privilege of being an active leader in interdenominational evangelical ministries such as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Campus Crusade for Christ. Through their formation and mission opportunities, her passion to serve the spreading of the Gospel was enflamed.
Angèle is the proud mother of 5 children, as well as 3 in-laws and therefore grandmother to 6 cutie pies. In 2019, the whole family was invited to speak at an international event at the Vatican because of their commitment to the new evangelization. The family together co-authored Brick by Brick giving witness to how André and Angèle raised their children to be missionary disciples. She also wrote Forgiveness is Key, a powerful and personal witness to the freedom found in forgiveness.
Angèle created CCO’s Faith Study Series as well as The Ultimate Relationship (UR)— an evangelistic booklet which has been translated into over a dozen languages. Besides being an author, Angèle is an inspiring and engaging speaker.
In 2018 Angèle led the team that famously brought the relic arm of St Francis Xavier across Canada. Angèle was interviewed hundreds of times locally, nationally and even internationally with such outlets as the Globe and Mail, the National Post, CTV, Global, CBC, and the BBC.
In 2015 André and Angèle were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal for distinguished service to the Church. This is the highest medal that can be awarded to laity by the Pope.
Angèle is passionate about Jesus, the Saints, the Great Commission, Ignatian spirituality, and her favourite colour, yellow.
André Regnier
ANDRÉ REGNIER was born on November 10, 1960 and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where he wrestled at the national level with the varsity team while completing his Bachelors of Psychology. While at university he was in search of Christian fellowship. Although he met many wonderful, zealous and authentic young people from Evangelical churches and campus clubs, he wished that those same opportunities to grow in faith were available in a Catholic context. Not finding any, he felt called to start something new.
Along with his wife Angèle, André founded Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) in Saskatoon in 1988. For over 3 decades CCO has been affecting change in the lives of the students to whom it ministers, calling them to deeper conversion and a Christ-centred life.
In 2015, André and Angèle were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal for distinguished service to the Church. This is the highest medal that can be awarded to laity by the Pope.
André has led countless international missions, including ones to the Philippines, Poland, and Uganda. In Uganda he helped to establish on several campuses an ongoing CCO presence that still remains active today. In 2016, he and Angèle led a CCO team at World Youth Day (WYD) in Krakow. Working with the International Centre for Evangelization (ICE), the team shared 1 million copies of The Ultimate Relationship booklet in 10 different languages and evangelized people from all over the world who attended the WYD festivities.
He is currently working on his Masters in Theology from the Augustine Institute. He has written three books: Catholic Missionary Identity, Five Tenets to Renew the World, and most recently, Clear and Simple: How to Have Conversations that Lead to Conversion.
André is a motivating and engaging speaker who gives talks both nationally and internationally. He is especially sought-after to present on discipleship formation in dioceses and parishes alike. His desire is to draw people to a deeper conversion to the person of Jesus Christ, and to be a catalyst for them to embrace the Church’s evangelical mission.
André and Angèle live in Ottawa and have five children and four grandchildren.
Books Written by the Founders
Andre and Angele were featured on EWTN’s At Home with Jim and Joy to discuss their family book, Brick by Brick. Watch here!
Careers
Interested in becoming a CCO missionary?
our missionaries
CCO Missionaries exist to proclaim Jesus for the renewal of the world. We are faithful, joy-filled and dedicated to our mission. We need your prayer and financial partnership.
board of directors
Fr. Raymond de Souza
Chair of the Board
Pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Kemptville // Editor, Convivium Magazine // Columnist, National Post
Kemptville, ON
Board member since 2016
I served for many years as Chaplain at Queen’s University in Kingston, and CCO transformed the chaplaincy there. Serving on the Board grants me regular contact with missionaries, who never fail to inspire me with their sacrificial commitment to preach the Gospel on campus. There are vibrant communities of faith on so many campuses, thanks in large part to the vision and work of CCO. That’s very good news about the future of the Good News in Canada.
Susan Goncz
Founder and Principal, Journeys Worth Taking // Ignatian-trained Spiritual Director // Business Transformation Specialist
Toronto, ON
Board member since 2021
I serve on the Board of CCO because I believe in their mission and people. Their vision and leadership are shaping the face of Catholic evangelism in the 21st century. In our post-Christian society with fewer students aware of the message and mission of Jesus Christ, CCO’s mission is important because they are bringing the church to the front-lines and changing lives. CCO missionaries are the itinerant preachers of our times! They inspire me and I am both excited and humbled to be part of this growing, dynamic, and life-giving movement.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen
Bishop of the Diocese of Saskatoon
Saskatoon, SK
Board member since 2022
Since I was a young priest working in Youth Ministry in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, I have experienced over many years the dedication of CCO missionaries and their effectiveness at proclaiming Christ and the Gospel. Now that I am a bishop, I welcome the opportunity to support the ongoing growth and development of CCO in the dioceses across Canada. Their outreach and witness is needed more than ever.
Our young adults who attend our various university and college campuses are facing increasing forms of secularization that leaves many young people in a condition of existential crisis as they are often frustrated in their search for God, His call to live holy and 'excellent' lives, and the Gospel message of salvation. CCO is one of the best organizations that I know that is dedicated and effective at carrying out this fundamental mission to young adults in our university and college environments.
Michael MacKinnon
Director, Digital & Information Technology for Suncor Energy
Calgary, AB
Board member since 2018
I’ve personally witnessed CCO to be an incredibly effective instrument in drawing many of my friends and family members closer to Christ. As a young Catholic man attending Dalhousie University, CCO provided an amazing group of friends, an opportunity to grow in my faith, and the challenge to become a leader on campus and within the church.
As universities continually become a difficult place for the Catholic faith to flourish, CCO becomes more and more vital in supporting young Catholics on campus. CCO impacts the future fathers, mothers, business leaders and government officials in Canada and I feel very privileged to be a small part of this organization as a member of the Board.
Todd Marr
Legal Counsel to the Calgary Catholic School District
Calgary, AB
Board member since 2022
Some university students take the initiative to seek out opportunities to foster their faith. Many others do not, simply because they do not know where to start. CCO missionaries find those students and invite them to encounter Christ, strengthen their faith, and share their faith with others. CCO plays a unique and critical role in the Church today. It is a privilege to serve as a member of the Board and to support CCO's mission to proclaim the Gospel and form missionary disciples who will renew the world.
Andrew Montes
Manager, Subsurface Engineering at Cenovus Energy
St John's, NL
Board member since 2022
I have personally witnessed the large impact the culture and methods of CCO have had on students, parishioners and the Catholic Church across Canada. I know serving on this Board will allow me to be a small builder in the hands of the great leaders and staff of this successful movement. I would find great joy in seeing the fruits of this movement continue to benefit my community, my parish, my family and my country with the Gospel message for many more years to come.
CCO is the arms and feet of the Catholic mission among university students across this country. Serving these students and building future faithful leaders, CCO has an enormous opportunity to equip the renewal of the Catholic Church in Canada. Building Christ-centered individuals, families, communities of faith and future leaders in all areas of society will undoubtedly continue to build the Kingdom of God and the civilization of love.
John Stevens
Manager, Office of Pastoral Life & New Evangelization, Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
Halifax, NS
Board member since 2017
I have always been drawn to the mission and passion for evangelization that CCO has. I believe serving on the board allows an opportunity to answer this longstanding call and contribute to the mission of Catholic Christian Outreach in a meaningful way.
I think the mission of CCO is important because challenging students to the fullness of faith in order to be leaders in the renewal of the world is more important now than it has ever been. The institutions and cultural supports that once buoyed Catholicism in Canada have largely eroded and the whole church needs to learn again how to propose the Gospel clearly and simply. The church, and the world, also needs leaders ready to step in and approach things from a perspective of evangelization and not self-preservation. CCO students can be those leaders.
Miriam Wright
President, Our Lady of Divine Fire Mission // Director, Encounter School of Ministry (Kingston Campus) // Certified Spiritual Director
Kingston, ON
Board member since 2021
CCO didn’t exist when I was in university. If it had, I think my search for God and the discovery of my identity in Christ would have been more direct, equipping me sooner to fully embrace God’s plans for me. In recent years, I’ve encountered young men and women who are Spirit-filled evangelizers helping to set the world on fire for Christ. Through CCO they encountered Christ in a life changing way and are now embracing their call to holiness and mission. More than ever, we need such zeal and dedication to renew the Church and society. It’s a privilege to contribute to CCO in any way I can, because it is clearly the Lord who is building this house (cf. Ps 127:1).
Susan Goncz
Founder and Principal, Journeys Worth Taking
Ignatian-trained Spiritual Director
Business Transformation Specialist
I serve on the Board of CCO because I believe in their mission and people. Their vision and leadership are shaping the face of Catholic evangelism in the 21st century. In our post-Christian society with fewer students aware of the message and mission of Jesus Christ, CCO’s mission is important because they are bringing the church to the front-lines and changing lives. CCO missionaries are the itinerant preachers of our times! They inspire me and I am both excited and humbled to be part of this growing, dynamic, and life-giving movement.
Great Expectations
Great Expectations, formerly known as The Grapevine, is the annual magazine of Catholic Christian Outreach. The new title reflects the desire and fruit of this publication, to bring hope that young people and the Church are being spiritually awoken and filled with zeal for evangelization. Great expectations is also one of CCO’s founding tenets which expresses hope and confidence in what God will do through us, with us and in us. “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)
