SASKAROON, Sask. (CCN) — Fall Congress 2025 brought together the why and how of the universal calling of becoming intentional disciples who are sent forth on mission.
Keynote speaker Jean-Paul de Fleuriot challenged us to lead through mission, to become outposts of mission in our communities, and to focus on accompanying those who would never otherwise step foot in a Catholic Church.
In particular, I was struck by his reflection that “God’s plan is not for us to huddle in our church, but to go out.”
Jean-Paul offered rich stories of how he and his family have essentially both risked and gained it all in order to accompany those on the margins towards the light of Christ.
Stories are at the heart of accompaniment, as we were reminded, this is the medium that Jesus used most, and that in a world where people demand immediate, direct answers to questions, Jesus rarely did so. Jean-Paul described that “stories help people see themselves as active participants and not bystanders.”
As Coordinator of Justice and Peace in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, I frequently reflect on areas that I can move away from the outside crowd and into a relationship with those who suffer. Even though it is easy for me to hang out in the comfort of the crowd, that this is not what I am called to.
We were challenged to remember that “we carry the church wherever we go” and to not “be a spectator of injustice but a participant in God’s story of redemption.”
Introduction to Intentional Accompaniment from CCO
In part two of Congress Oct. 16, Christy Dupuis and John Hickey reminded us that the Holy Spirit is very much alive, that “the Lord is already calling people but the fruit only comes when we are prepared to receive them.”
Both John and Christy challenged me to be on the lookout for the work of the Spirit where we may not expect it.
Listening is a necessary skill to recognize the Spirit: instead of thinking “what do I need to say in this conversation?” I need to shift my attitude to a holy curiosity and wonder “what is God up to in this person?”
Overall both Congress Day presentations confirmed that to have an expectation that people will come to us to become missionary disciples is a limited vision of what it means to be a Christian witness — and provides very poor yields. In contrast, the unique missionary style of Jean-Paul de Fleuriot and the many missionaries of Catholic Christian Outreach remind us that “the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.”
And there is no greater adventure story in this life than to become a missionary disciple in full thrust!
