A movement that is waking up the sleeping giant! Check out the film below…
Confronting the Crisis
“It’s fair to say that most of our church isn’t explosively alive.”
The times we are living in are a defining moment for the Church. The crisis we’re facing is going to call for a complete and radical change in how we understand the Church and how we preach the Gospel.
“In every age, the Church has gone through struggles… In every age, God has called men and women out of that crisis who are willing to give themselves completely over to him…
“Are we willing to just steadily hold on to whatever we can until we decline into nothingness? Or, are we going to be bold and proclaim Jesus to this world that doesn’t believe in him in the power of the Holy Spirit in order to see the Church explode?”
Isaac Longworth, CC
Seminarian, Companions of the Cross
We’re not the answer to all the Church’s problems and the crisis we find ourselves in.
However, we believe the Lord has given us a vision to contribute to the necessary need for renewal in the Church today.
The Church can be…
Daniel Ramos, CC
Seminarian, Companions of the Cross
Fr. Bob Bedard, CC
Founder, Companions of the Cross
“The Church becoming explosively alive is a Church filled with people who are on fire for God, who are then going out bursting beyond the four walls of any given parish and reaching out, with love, to people in the communities to share it with people who don’t yet know how much Jesus loves them and wants to save them.”
Fr. Simon Lobo, CC
Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish
“We go where the Gospel needs to be proclaimed… Young men are attracted to that. They can serve wherever the Lord wants them to serve just like the early disciples. They went all over the world. As Companions, we get to share in that mission.”
Fr. Lawrence Hyginus, CC
Vocations Director, Companions of the Cross
“I see this campaign as the wake-up call. It will be exciting to see that unfold. We can play a part in making that happen.”
Julie Wallace
Supporter, Companions of the Cross
“As throughout history, when God wants to effect change, he looks around for some people who are willing to do whatever he says. To those he finds, he gives a vision, a way to make changes. We believe we’ve caught something of what God is saying to the Church about the priesthood in our day. We’re trying to live it out.”
Fr. Bob Bedard, CCFounder, Companions of the Cross
The Church Explosively Alive is a $5 million fundraising campaign for the Companions of the Cross with three main campaign priorities.
We hope that you will take this opportunity to partner with us in waking up the sleeping giant.
Visitation
House
$2, 000, 000 Goal.
Seminarian Endowment
Fund
$2, 500, 000 Goal.
Leadership
Fund
$500, 000 Goal
Visitation House
“The Holy Spirit has us here for a reason.”
We’re in Detroit because we saw, in Sacred Heart Major Seminary, a seminary that fit our vision and the spirituality of the Companions to the Cross.
$2 M Goal
“I think it’s the best formation that seminarians are receiving in North America. I’m not aware of a place that has a dynamic program to the same extent that they do.”
Bishop Scott McCaig, CC
Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada
Visitation house is our second house of formation, and it is key to future growth and the New Evangelization.
Visitation House is a centre for the New Evangelization.
Formation Program Pillars
Assumption Farm
Assumption Farm is a place where seminarian applicants can slow down, unplug from technology, and get away from the noise and interruption of modern society to focus on where God is calling them.
Visitation House
With a large Chapel, a social hall, an industrial kitchen, and more, Visitation House is perfectly suited for us.
Our seminarians are surrounded by priests, whose example they can emulate and whose wisdom they can receive.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
The program for Priestly Formation (PPF) highlights the importance of the four dimensions of seminarian formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.
SHMS has a world class faculty that teaches solid Catholic theology in a dynamic way, and in the spirit of the New Evangelization.
Assumption Farm
Assumption Farm is a place where seminarian applicants can slow down, unplug from technology, and get away from the noise and interruption of modern society to focus on where God is calling them.
Visitation House
With a large Chapel, a social hall, an industrial kitchen, and more, Visitation House is perfectly suited for us.
Our seminarians are surrounded by priests, whose example they can emulate and whose wisdom they can receive.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
The program for Priestly Formation (PPF) highlights the importance of the four dimensions of seminarian formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.
SHMS has a world class faculty that teaches solid Catholic theology in a dynamic way, and in the spirit of the New Evangelization.
Seminarian Endowment Fund
Forming Passionate Priests for the New Evangelization
“The vast majority of our financial donations and resources are going to the training, education, formation, and housing of our seminarians each year.”
Fr. Roger Vandenakker, CC
General Superior, Companions of the Cross
$2.5 M Goal
$2.5 M Goal
Fr. Roger Vandenakker, CC
General Superior, Companions of the Cross
Hear Their Stories
“It really draws young men to our community because they see a community that’s flourishing, that’s thriving, and there’s something special about us in that sense.”
Fr. Lawrence Hyginus, CC
Vocations Director, Companions of the Cross
“It really draws young men to our community because they see a community that’s flourishing, that’s thriving, and there’s something special about us in that sense.”
Fr. Lawrence Hyginus, CC
Vocations Director, Companions of the Cross
Each year we invest approximately $27,000 USD in each seminarian. Every year we must seek new funding for the program. Investment income from the endowment will provide a reliable and perpetual flow of income for our priestly formation and education program.
$27,000
Yearly Investment in each seminarian in USD.
$216,000
Approximate cost to form a seminarian over an eight year formation period in USD.
Leadership Development Fund
Supporting Future Leaders Bringing Renewal
We are setting the stage for a comprehensive leadership training program for all priests, especially those newly ordained.
With a budget of $500,000 over the next 5 years, the program will provide hands-on training through internship opportunities, mentoring with senior pastors, and leadership courses.
The new priest will spend a year mentoring under a pastor and associate pastor. As a third priest, their annual salary will not be covered by the parish. This part of the campaign will cover the salaries of those in the leadership training program.
$0.5 M Goal
$0.5 M Goal
We are setting the stage for a comprehensive leadership training program for all priests, especially those newly ordained.
With a budget of $500,000 over the next 5 years, the program will provide hands-on training through internship opportunities, mentoring with senior pastors, and leadership courses.
The new priest will spend a year mentoring under a pastor and associate pastor. As a third priest, their annual salary will not be covered by the parish. This part of the campaign will cover the salaries of those in the leadership training program.
“When we look to support the Companions of the Cross, we’re looking to support future leaders in the Church that can bring renewal in a way that we haven’t seen before.”
Christine Labrosse
Supporter, Companions of the Cross
Fr. Simon Lobo, CC
Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish
“When we look to support the Companions of the Cross, we’re looking to support future leaders in the Church that can bring renewal in a way that we haven’t seen before.”
Christine Labrosse
Supporter, Companions of the Cross
Fr. Simon Lobo, CC
Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish
“The vision that Fr. Bob had for the Church was to see it come explosively alive. That is a vision that captivates me. I want to see that grow explosively because that means people are coming to know Jesus. That is something I want to dedicate my life too.”
Isaac Longworth, CC
Seminarian, Companions of the Cross
Ways to Give
“The financial support I received from many benefactors while I was in seminary made me realize that God loved me so much through these people who loved me…
“And so I felt like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants, so to speak. Because I’m receiving the support of these brothers and sisters, many of whom I’ve never met, but they believed in the vision that Fr. Bob had for the Church.”
Fr. Lawrence Hyginus, CC
Vocations Director, Companions of the Cross
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One Time Donation
You can give a simple one-time gift by cash or cheque, or online by PayPal, e-transfer, or Credit card.
Scheduled Giving
You can schedule monthly, quarterly, or annual donations. You specify the amount, the start and finish date, and the frequency of the donation. The schedule can be stopped or adjusted as you desire, at any time, with notification from you.
Make a Bequest in Your Will
Leaving a gift in your will is a wonderful expression of gratitude to God for a lifetime of blessings. There are tax benefits to your estate as well. A bequest in your will can ensure the formation of priests for generations to come.
Donating Stock
Securities are a very effective way to give charitably. When you donate publicly traded securities (stocks, mutual funds, bonds, etc.) directly to the Companions of the Cross, you can eliminate the capital gains tax and still receive a tax receipt for the fair market value on the date the security is received by the Companions of the Cross.
Major Donations of 'Flow-Through' Shares
Flow-through shares donations offer donors the dual tax advantage benefits of a 100% tax reduction on the purchase of the shares and a 35 to 49% tax credit (depending on your provincial/state tax credit) on the donation of the shares. Always seek advice from your professional financial advisors.
How will you make your goal?
$5,000,000 Goal – How will we get there?
Prefer to Donate/Pledge via Mail?
Download the appropriate form below
and mail it to the corresponding address.
Please mail your pledge form to:
Companions of the Cross
199 Bayswater Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1Y 2G5
Please mail your pledge form to:
Companions of the Cross
17330 Quincy Street
Detroit, MI
48221-2749
FAQ’s
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Do I get a tax receipt?
Yes. In Canada, the Companions of the Cross are a registered Canadian charity (#118871441RR0001). In the U.S., all donations are tax-deductible under section 501 (C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Can I target my donation?
Each of the three campaign goals together serve one goal – An Explosively Alive Church. All Capital Campaign donations will be held in a separate account. During the campaign, periodic disbursements will be made to each of the goals.
What is the average attrition rate for men entering seminary?
The past ten years has solidified our seminarian program with our commitment to Sacred Heart Major Seminary. The quality of our program is reflected in a low attrition rate. Since the move to SHMS 70% of the men in seminary have either been ordained or remain in the program.
Why are the seminarians at SHMS in the USA?
Sacred Heart Major Seminary specializes in preparing leaders in the New Evangelization. That is why we have committed to centering the academic aspect of our formation program at SHMS.
Do seminarians pay for any of their schooling?
While there is no requirement for a seminarian to pay for tuition or room and board, they do fundraise on their own and make personal donations themselves. Each year the seminarians raise over $100,000 collectively in our annual Seminarian Appeal. In addition, once ordained, every year all CC priests tithe 25% of their annual income back to the Community.
How will you be accountable and keep donors informed?
Regular updates on the progress of the Capital Campaign will be made available on the Companions of the Cross website. Once a year, a financial statement showing how the funds were distributed to each of the campaign priorities will be provided to all donors in the CC MISSIO publication.