From October 17 to 19, 2025, I had the privilege of representing CNEWA Canada at the Forum of the Standing Committee for Relations with Catholic Movements and Associations, organized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). The gathering, held in Toronto, brought together leaders and representatives of Catholic associations and movements from across the country under the inspiring theme: “Journeying Together as Pilgrims of Hope.”
This annual forum provides an important opportunity for dialogue, discernment, and collaboration between bishops and lay movements—spaces where diverse charisms converge in service of the Church’s mission. The weekend opened with a warm welcome, evening prayer, and an engaging keynote by Dr. Josephine Lombardi of St. Augustine’s Seminary on “The Importance of Movements and Associations for the Life of the Church.” Dr. Lombardi reminded participants that while each movement has its unique charism, all contribute to the building up of the Body of Christ through faithfulness, discernment, and missionary zeal.
On Saturday, the focus turned to the Church’s synodal journey. Dr. Catherine Clifford, of St. Paul University and a voting delegate at the ‘Synod on Synodality’, shared profound insights into the nature of “conversation in the Spirit,”listening, and discernment as essential practices for a synodal, missionary Church. Her reflection invited participants to rediscover communion through dialogue and shared responsibility.
The afternoon featured a panel of representatives from various Catholic movements, each reflecting on their distinctive charisms and how they bring hope to today’s world. Their testimonies offered a vibrant portrait of the Church in Canada: rooted in prayer, animated by service, and open to collaboration. A highlight of the day was Mr. Jeff Lockert’s presentation, President of Catholic Christian Outreach, who spoke about the Church’s path from the ‘Ordinary Jubilee of 2025’ toward the ‘Great Jubilee of 2033’, marking two millennia since the Resurrection of Christ. His talk encouraged all participants to see the next eight years as a time of renewal and missionary momentum.
Sunday concluded with a round-table discussion with bishops, focusing on practical ways of deepening collaboration between episcopal leadership and lay associations. The atmosphere throughout the weekend was one of genuine fraternity, listening, and shared hope—a lived expression of synodality in action.
For CNEWA, whose mission is to accompany Eastern Churches and support the vulnerable through pastoral and humanitarian outreach, participation in this forum was an occasion to share our experience of fostering unity through service and to listen to the witness of others engaged in the same Gospel mission across Canada.
It was also a joy to meet with Betty Colaneri, National President of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), whose organization has been a longstanding friend and supporter of CNEWA’s mission. Our conversation reaffirmed the power of partnership between movements, associations, and agencies working together in hope.
As we journey toward the Jubilee of 2033, this forum reminded all participants that the Spirit continues to renew the Church through the faithful collaboration of bishops, clergy, and laity—each a pilgrim of hope, walking together toward the Kingdom.