Saint Paul's Outreach (SPO) is a Catholic missionary organization in the United States which serves college students and young adults.[3] It is a private association of the faithful established in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. SPO describes its mission as follows: "to build transformational communities that form missionary disciples for life."[4]
 | |
| Abbreviation | SPO |
|---|---|
| Established | 1985[1] |
| Founders | Gordy DeMarais, Christina Smith, Fr. Kevin Finnegan[2] |
| Focus | Campus ministry and young adult outreach |
| Headquarters | Mendota Heights, Minnesota |
Region | United States |
President | David Fischer |
| Website | spo |
SPO sees itself as a movement of the "new evangelization" popularized by Pope John Paul II.[5][1] Its ministry model is "reach, call, form, send."[2]
Saint Paul's Outreach is part of the global network of Kairos, which is the youth outreach division of the Sword of the Spirit.[6]
History edit
SPO was founded in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where it reached students at the University of St. Thomas.[2][1] By 2016 it had mission centers in seven different parts of the country.[2]
The Kansas City mission center expanded to include the University of Missouri–Kansas City in 2016.[3] SPO's Florida region expanded to the University of South Florida in 2021.[7]
Current chapter locations edit
- Arizona
- Florida
- Kansas City
- Minnesota
- Ohio
- Northeastern United States
- Texas
Notable former members edit
- Andrew H. Cozzens,[9] bishop of the Diocese of Crookston
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Towalski, Diane (26 February 2013). "Not a club, not a clique: SPO students live the New Evangelization". The Catholic Spirit.
- ^ a b c d Weinberger, Jessica (18 February 2016). "St. Paul's Outreach celebrates 30 years of college ministry". The Catholic Spirit. p. 24. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ a b Marley, Megan (20 October 2016). "Saint Paul's Outreach starts new mission at UMKC and in Young Adult group". The Catholic Key. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ "SPO: Our Mission". Saint Paul's Outreach. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d Bollig, Joe (3 May 2019). "Saint Paul's Outreach to young adults lauded at fundraiser". The Leaven Catholic Newspaper. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ "Our Global Network". kairos-eme.org. Kairos.
- ^ a b Pieper, Lauren (28 July 2021). "Newly Inspired Missionary Disciples". Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ Corpora, Karen; Stevko, Kyra (March 2020). "Collegians rekindle faith at annual retreat". The Catholic Spirit. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Cornell, Kyle. "Diocese of Crookston Names New Bishop". WZFG. Retrieved 7 January 2022.