Catholic Voices Canada: Re-Creation 2025, Pilgrims of Hope
“The Holy Spirit illumines all believers with the light of hope. He keeps that light burning, like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives.” BULL OF INDICTION OF THE ORDINARY JUBILEE OF THE YEAR 2025, Pope Francis.
In response to the Holy Spirit’s prompting related to the 2025 Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope, the 2033 Jubilee of Christ’s Death and Resurrection, and the Canadian Catholic Bishops Pastoral letter on Living as Catholics in the Public Square dated June 22, 2023, Catholic Voices Canada is re-creating itself, by the Grace of God, to fulfill a particular need in the Canadian Catholic Universe: the need to be Pilgrims of Hope to the Canadian Catholic World; The need of calling out into the Canadian societal wilderness the Hope and Beauty of living faith filled Catholic lives. We will foster the image of life as Canadian Catholics as Joy filled, Healthy, Hopeful, and Positive. The goal of providing that image is to share, encourage and increase the virtue of Hope among Catholics and others and to promote an attractive image of being Catholic in Canada. This will provide the springboard for increased Faith, Community and Courage among Catholics so that they will live their Catholic faith more openly. This in turn creates a fertile ground for evangelization.
“As we exercise our freedom so as to profess the Incarnation and Christ’s Resurrection as Catholics, we embrace an asceticism of manifesting this great joy within a public square often devoid of joy and hope. In short, our posture must be that of the Apostle Peter on that first Pentecost, where his first act was to enter the public square of Jerusalem and draw people to Christ. We are called, like Peter, to give an explicit account of the faith that is within us (1 Peter 3:15), to let that faith radiate through our actions, to uphold what is true, and to love. Let us not fear to witness to our belief in Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
Pastoral Letter, Living as Catholics in the Public Square
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 22, 2023
We also believe we are positioned uniquely to facilitate the development of strategies between Canadian Catholic Apostolates to intentionally resource, intercede and work together for evangelization across Canada.
Our New Mission:
At Catholic Voices Canada, our mission is to foster a positive and welcoming image of Catholicism for Canadians. We aim to create a nurturing space where Canadian Catholics can find comfort, support, and inspiration to explore deeper into their faith. Our focus is on building a community of confidence and solidarity among Canadian Catholics, reminding them that they are not alone. We strive to unite and empower our members, encouraging them to stand together in their beliefs and values. Our goal is to present an attractive and positive image of Catholicism that resonates with Canadian Catholics, making them feel an integral part of a larger, supportive community.
We will achieve this Mission by providing:
- Topical stories shared (as videos) by Canadian Catholics leading vibrant Catholic lives
- National Community Prayer online led by prominent Canadian Catholics.
- Weekly Live National Catholic (Good) News ie. News about all the good things going on in the Canadian Catholic World like CCO activities, Men’s and Women’s conferences, Catholic Outdoor Adventures, … sharing stories in an uplifting way as much as possible.
- A Catholic Podcast focusing on the beauty and health of living as a faith filled Canadian Catholic.
- A Canadian Catholic Apostolate portal for vibrant Apostolates that are active in Canada
From a national strategic perspective, with the CVC website, Board and committees, we can provide a format for communication and strategic planning among the various vibrant Catholic organizations and apostolates throughout Canada to promote Catholic evangelization.
May Hope fill all of our hearts.
Terry L. Vanderpool, Director
