Proclaim

At the time of this recording, the world has just been introduced to Pope Leo XIV and the Archdiocese of Vancouver is preparing to welcome Archbishop Smith. 2025 also saw record numbers of people entering the Church, locally and globally! Brett and Eric take a few moments to reflect on what this means for Proclaim and how we might respond. They discuss the wisdom of the Church in her ability to keep continuity and allow for fresh expressions of missionary activity.

Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

In this episode, Proclaim Director Eric Chow a foundational inspiration behind the Proclaim movement in Vancouver: Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). Discover how the Holy Father's powerful call to evangelization sparked a local movement dedicated to awakening disciples to proclaim Jesus.

A Lasting Legacy:

Following the passing of Pope Francis, Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver reflected on his profound impact, stating:

""The most significant legacy left to the Archdiocese of Vancouver by Pope Francis is undoubtedly his heart for evangelization. Inspired by his declaration of an Extraordinary Missionary Month in October 2019, we launched Proclaim, a movement that awakens disciples to proclaim Jesus. The Pope’s challenge to embrace missionary discipleship continues to guide our evangelization efforts today.""

Eric reads and highlights several key paragraphs from Evangelii Gaudium that have deeply influenced the Proclaim movement:

Paragraph 3: On the urgent need for a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, emphasizing that this relationship is the foundation of evangelization.

To delve deeper into Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, you can read the full text of Evangelii Gaudium on the Vatican website: Link to The Joy of the Gospel on the Vatican Website (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html)

Father Raf Salvino and Eric have a discussion around the parish life unfolding at Corpus Christi Parish, where Father Raf is the assistant pastor. Corpus Christi Parish has been on a missional journey to live out their vision of moving towards an apostolic mode of engagement through their vision, values, and evangelistic efforts. Father Raf joined the parish 2 years ago (at the time of this recording) and shares his experience of being part of a parish engaging in missional renewal.

Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

In this episode of the Proclaim podcast, Eric Chow welcomes Julianne Stanz, who shares her journey of faith and the importance of proclaiming the Gospel in our homes and communities. Julianne discusses her conversion experience, the call to evangelization, and the shifts in understanding missionary discipleship. She emphasizes the need for practical skills in evangelization, the importance of engaging those on the periphery of faith, and the significance of recognizing 'thin places' where we can encounter God. The conversation highlights the role of personal stories, spiritual persistence, and the rhythms of opportunity to share Jesus in our everyday lives.

Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

Fr. Mark McGuckin joins the podcast to share his experiences of parish renewal at his parish St. Francis de Sales. He shares his gratitude for the parish leadership team, the evangelizing initiatives, and the fruits their parish is experiencing. Fr. Mark has been supported by Proclaim, Alpha, Divine Renovation and has attended conferences and workshops hosted by Amazing Parish and Evangelical Catholic (Priests for an Apostolic Age Conference). Fr. Mark's witness is full of magnanimity and humility as he shares how God has been moving in his life and at St Francis de Sales.

Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

Sister John Mary Sullivan, Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist (FSE), joins the podcast to discuss her experience of accompaniment in her life, her religious community, and in ministry. Eric and Sister John Mary also jump into the art of listening, as a follow up to a previous episode on listening well in accompanying others towards Jesus.

Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

Eric sits down with Archbishop Michael Miller, CSB (Archbishop of Vancouver) to discuss his thoughts on the future Church in Vancouver. In February 2024 the Archbishop offered 12 points to consider for the future Church in Vancouver. His presentation can be listened to here: https://weareproclaim.com/collections/proclaim-podcast/060

They discuss 5 points in greater detail:

Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

Fr. Justin Huang joins Eric on the podcast to discuss parish renewal. For over a decade he has been pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in Marpole, where they have experienced ""seasons"" of parish renewal animated by particular virtues. Fr Justin gets honest and shares his personal need to constantly ask the Lord for humilty. As St. Anthony of Padua moves into a new springtime for renewal, Fr. Justin and the parish is going "all in" with CCO's model of Intentional Accompaniment.

Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

Previous podcast episodes referenced:

Evangelii Gaudium Quotes:

EG 28 The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community. While certainly not the only institution which evangelizes, if the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be “the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters”.

Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

Eric sits down with Andre Regnier, co-founder of Catholic Christian Outreach, to discuss a clear and simple way to pray everyday. Andre shares the importance of relationship in prayer, and 5 practical keys to praying everyday.

References in the discussion:

Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ.

To learn more you can visit CCO.ca/prayer to sign up for the online and live courses on forming personal prayer.