The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer has a long tradition of engaging with young adults, dating back to its founding in 1732. Ignite Ministry is a bold initiative for, with, and among young adults that continues and builds upon the charism and legacy of St. Alphonsus, focusing on compassionate evangelization and ever mindful of spreading the Good News of Plentiful Redemption to our wounded world.
Ignite-Canada ministers with a young adult team: forming and working with them to create spiritual, service and social opportunities to engage a variety of young adults in the life of the Church. This programming is primarily directed towards young adults between the ages of 18 and 39.
In addition to prayer services celebrating the liturgical seasons, such as Advent and Lent, a monthly Bible and Beer program has become a spiritual staple for many young adults in our community. On the second Tuesday of every month, small groups gather to listen to and reflect on the upcoming Sunday readings, guided by a facilitator (Redemptorist Priests or theologically trained lay women). They discuss questions that help them connect their lives to scripture before heading to the pub across the street to continue the conversation. These connections help to grow faith-based relationships rooted in God and community.
Catechetical Pub Nights are offered a few times a year, also at the local pub. The young adult team chooses topics based on questions related to their lives – Faith and Politics, Faith and AI, Catholics and Creation. An appropriate facilitator or panel discusses the topic from a faith perspective for about 40 minutes. After small group discussions around the tables (while snacking on appetizers), participants have the opportunity to ask the facilitator questions that arose from their table conversations. The goal is for young adults to build relationships while learning the “mind of the church” on a variety of topics.
Social Justice and Service projects take a variety of forms. Street Patrol is led by a member of the leadership team. This program runs roughly every other week during the winter season, from the beginning of December to the end of March. Volunteers make approximately 150 sandwiches, pack lunch bags, and then distribute them along with hot chocolate, coffee, toiletry items, and all types of clothing, including coats, gloves, and boots. These items are donated by members of the larger Toronto community.
In addition, we offer creative programming that deepens young adults’ awareness and understanding of a variety of global and local issues, such as food security, climate justice and poverty, often connected to prayer services – such as the Stations of the Cross.
Socially, we offer a variety of opportunities focused on building community and deepening relationships and connections within a Catholic context. A summer cornerstone program is the monthly Holy Smoke: S’mores and more BBQ, which often draws 90-plus young adults to gather in the beautiful garden beside St. Patrick’s Church, where music, laughter, and the smell of delicious food fill the air. Evenings such as Movie Nights, Catholic Trivia, and the Table for Two Valentine’s event for engaged and married couples are also popular among this group and provide opportunities for thought-provoking conversation.
One of the unique features that Ignite Ministry facilitates is the ongoing strengthening of relationships between young adults and the Redemptorist priests, made possible by the generosity of the Redemptorist Fathers in being present at our gatherings. Young adults want to know and learn from our priests, and they repeatedly express their gratitude for their presence.
In addition to these programs for young adults, Ignite Ministry offers over 60 High School Retreats each year, impacting more than 2000 students in grades 10 and 12. Ignite trains an intergenerational leadership team (young adults and older adults) to facilitate these retreats, which focus on drawing connections between Jesus and Social Justice and building on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and engagement in the world. Students go into the streets to witness, pray, and serve sisters and brothers in downtown Toronto.
To strengthen and support youth, young adult, and family ministry across the continent, Ignite Ministry has developed NETWORK ( https://ignite-canada.ca/network/ ), an online training program comprising seminars and workshops throughout the year that equips communities with the skills to develop appropriate, sustainable programming for their own contexts, based on the needs and assets within their unique communities.
Ever growing to meet the needs of young adults, this year we plan to add a week-long live in S.E.R.V.E. program in spring that will include on service, justice, theological reflection and community building. We are also exploring the possibility of a summer Dialogue weekend experience for young adults across Canada. Both opportunities will be hosted in collaboration with the Vocations office.
Ignite Ministry creates space for all to meet Christ through community, conversation, and shared experience. Rooted in the Redemptorist charism, we provide opportunities for people to experience what it means to be Church through their presence to one another and to God, fostering genuine connection, reflection, and faith in action. Our tagline is “Ignite Your Faith. Transform the World.” And we believe it.
Ignite Ministry
