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satellite campus

ottawa campus

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father." - John 14:12

 

Full on-site satellite campus.

 

 

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overview

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By your baptism, you have been called.

Designed and established from the heart of Encounter Ministries, this school draws from the richness of our Catholic heritage as we seek to teach, equip, and activate disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in their spheres of influence. In conformity with the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church, we offer students a dynamic 2-year training program designed to take you to the next level in your ministry.

  • Long Term Discipleship: It is our mission to raise up disciples who are equipped to do "greater works," and it was the Lord's idea to use long-term discipleship for this training.
  • Authentically Catholic: We draw our teachings from scripture, tradition, official Church teaching, the lives of the early Church Fathers and the lives of the saints. Our curriculum has been reviewed by bishops and theologians.

 

location & schedule

Led by a locally trained Campus Director and instructors, this satellite campus is a fully on-site program following the same ESM Curriculum as other campuses.

Classes run mid-September through May.

Location:  St. Mary’s Parish, 100 Young St, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3P7

Class Times: Tuesday evenings 6:00pm-9:30pm

Tuition:

$200 USD per quarter ($800 USD). If paid annually, there is a discount, making the cost of $700 USD. ESM also offers a discount for priests: the tuition is $150 USD per quarter ($600 USD) or $500 USD if paid annually. Mission Trips and required books cost extra. (Lending library available.)

Application Deadline: Oct. 1

The Ottawa Campus began in 2022 by Sr. Anna Chan, the foundress of the Servants of the Cross. Sr. Anna and the leadership team longed to see revival break out in Canada. Today, her Sisters and the ESM Team continue the mission of making Jesus irresistible to all people.

Sr. Meagan Gruninger, SC

Campus Director
An encounter with the Holy Spirit in High School changed everything for Sr. Meagan Gruninger, SC. Drawn to a radical way of life, she received formation and lived in community at St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Saskatchewan. She then continued her studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Religious Studies at St. Stephen’s University in New Brunswick. During her studies, she experienced a deepening call to consecrated life and was drawn to the Servants of the Cross. Today, living a lifestyle of evangelization with her Sisters (including teaching, street ministry, and media communications), her joy is to invite others to intimacy with Jesus.

Sr. Melinda Schenher, S.C.

Life in the Holy Spirit began for Sr. Melinda Schenher when she attended, as a child, an ecumenical charismatic prayer group with her parents. At Saskatchewan’s University of Regina, in her first year of studies, she experienced a conversion of heart through a powerful weekend retreat and her involvement with Catholic Christian Outreach. She has served the Lord in youth ministry, young adult ministry, and as the Associate Director of John Paul II Bible School in Radway, Alberta. In 2008, she joined the Servants of the Cross, and became a lifetime member in 2018. She previously served the Community as Vocations Director, and currently is a member of the Executive Council and Director of Admissions. Her gentle heart and infectious joy demonstrate the life of Jesus living in her.

Denis Belanger

Denis Belanger's spiritual journey significantly deepened in 1987 when he experienced a profound infilling of the Holy Spirit. That same summer, he attended a Steubenville Youth Retreat, where he witnessed the Holy Spirit moving powerfully among the youth. This pivotal experience led him to become involved in the Evangelization Ministry. In 1989, he joined St. Mary's Parish's Door-to-Door ministry, which was based on a program originating from Steubenville University. For over 10 years, Denis has been a leader in the Knights of Columbus Ontario and for the Supreme Fraternal Mission Team. After graduating from the Encounter Ministry course in 2024, he continues to seek opportunities to bring God's transformational love to those God places in his life. Presently, he is a member of St. Mary's Evangelization Outreach Leadership Team and Prayer and Prophetic Ministry. Denis earned his Bachelor of Science (BSc) from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. He is currently the President and CEO of Belanger-Consulting, a federally incorporated company.

Fr. Francis Donnelly, C.C.

Fr. Francis Donnelly is a retired priest of the Companions of the Cross who carries many degrees in English, Medieval Studies, Theology, and Canon Law. Fr. Francis has been in the Renewal movements and pastoral ministries spanning 50 years, besides endless blessings. Born in Ireland, his family migrated to Montreal, Quebec where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. He was led to join the Companions of the Cross in Ottawa because of its vision of Christian renewal, charismatic ministry, evangelization, ecumenism, Marian movement, and renewal of parishes.

Natalia Lacar

Natalia Lacar has been joyfully serving God’s Kingdom through her anointing in prophecy and healing for more than 35 years now. Being born and raised in the Philippines gave her the opportunity to serve marginalized sectors of society in Asia and engage in missionary work as a youth leader. She is a parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish, Ottawa where she serves as leader of the Prayer and Prophetic Ministry and Coordinator of the Night of Worship and Ministry (an evening of praise, prophecy, teaching, and healing); she was Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council. Natalia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication (major in Journalism, minor in Philosophy) and Master of Arts in Communication from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and her Baccalaureate in Education (summa cum laude) from the University of Ottawa, Ontario. She is a teacher with the Ottawa Catholic School Board and a faith mentor at her school.

summer intensive

July 23 – 25, 2026

Try it out! This annual event provides a survey of the content offered in the first four quarters of the Encounter School of Ministry. The summer intensive is perfect for anyone desiring to attend the Encounter School during the year but unable to do so because of distance or schedule. It is also ideal for those discerning their enrollment in the school of ministry but needing greater discernment.

The survey includes: Identity & Transformation • Hearing God’s Voice & the Prophetic Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Power & Healing • Inner Healing & Freedom

register

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