Gemma Ottenbreit

Hello! My name is Gemma Ottenbreit and I am delighted to let you know that I will be working as a Regnum Christi missionary in Bordeaux, France, for 10 months beginning this September 2024.

I’ll be turning 19 in August and recently completed my first year of the Bachelor of Nursing program at the University of Calgary. I look forward to continuing my studies and my work with Calgary ECYD when I return in 2025.

My journey with Regnum Christi began when I was 15 years old, attending young adult Holy Hours. Soon after, my home parish started a Challenge girls club, and I was invited to help lead it. This introduction to ECYD enriched my high school years, allowing me to lead and organize Challenge, Holy Week Missions, and various ECYD retreats and events. I also had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at Captivenia girls camp. 

When I started university last September, I transitioned from being a youth leader to embracing the role of a young adult. This year, I’ve loved guiding my girls in new ways - leading a high school Encounter team, mentoring Challenge team leaders, and helping organize our youth Monthly Missions starting this fall!

In February, I traveled to Washington, DC, for the annual ECYD PD days, where I met Regnum Christi missionaries from across North America. Their joy and experiences with RC Mission Corps inspired me to apply. I can’t wait for their friendships, formation, and experiences this mission year will bring. Most importantly, I look forward to seeing how God will work through each day that I dedicate to Him as a missionary. 

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and for considering a donation towards my mission year. Your generosity means the world to me!

Please join me on this journey by continuing to invest in your own missions and by keeping me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine. 

Yours in Christ, 

Gemma