To Join a CLC click here! 

CLC GROUP LEADER Applications for 2012-13 – click here!

CLC BOARD MEMBER Applications for 2012-13 – click here!

 

What Are CLCs?

Christian Life Communities (CLCs) are small faith communities grounded in spirituality, community, and service. Groups consist of six-10 members who gather weekly for faith-filled conversations, prayer, and reflection as they seek to integrate their faith with the realities of everyday life. CLC’s are facilitated by peer leaders.

Due to scheduling changes, many CLC members stay in one CLC for one semester and need to switch CLCs the next. We try to accommodate your schedule as best we can, so switching CLC’s is always an option.  You can sign up at any time and we will help connect you to a group. Sign up for a CLC!

CLC Immersion Experience
Come immerse yourself in the life of a refugee! We’ll visit ESL schools, an after school youth program and each night we’ll reflect on the social justice issues we encountered during our day.

Want to Know More About CLCs?

An easy way to understand CLCs is to take apart the words: Christian…Life…Community.

Christian
CLC is for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. One does not have to be Catholic to be a part of CLC. CLC is based on Gospel values: the life and example of Jesus is one in which you strive to follow and model your life after Jesus Christ.


Life
CLC meets you where you are in your life. You do not need to be a saint or feel as if you are a perfect Christian to be a member of a CLC group. It deals with your real life, exactly where you are in your life…as a student at John Carroll, a son or daughter, being in a relationship, part of a family, etc. CLC deals with everyone’s daily experiences. CLC invites you to look at your life and reflect on your experiences.

Community
CLC is not to be experienced alone, but rather, with friends. Friends with whom you will build lasting, intimate, trusting relationships. Sharing your life with one another, and having lots of fun in the process.

CLC is based on three dynamic principles: Community, Spirituality, and Mission.
Community
As a community, you will build trusting relationships with one another. You will feel comfortable sharing your life, prayers, and spirituality with others – and again have fun while enjoying others in the process.

Spirituality
CLCs are based in Ignatian Spirituality. Ignatian Spirituality is based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Saint Ignatius believed that God can be found in all things, events, and experiences. Ignatian Spirituality leads one to ask concrete questions such as: Where is God in my life? Where can I find God in my life at the University, my job, my family, my relationships, and my friendships?

Mission
Our mission will involve each CLC member and group discerning the questions of how do I/we respond to God’s love for us? In this capacity, groups may decide to do a service project together, or may decide that their mission is to be of service to one another through prayer and being attentive to one another. The activity of the mission for your CLC is ultimately a personal and group decision.

What is a Typical CLC Meeting Like?
A typical meeting will begin with prayer. There will be a check in with everyone to see how their week is going. There will then be some scripture, reflection, a song, and/or questions put forth that everyone will be ask to reflect about and then share. There is a closing prayer. Periodically there will be an evaluation to see how CLC is going for each member of the group.

CLC is owned by each person in the group. An important part of CLC is flexibility and creativity. Since CLC will deal with how God is acting in your life, each group will take on different directions. After the first few meetings, individual members will work with their team leaders on the planning of the meetings. Each individual member’s commitment to the group will foster the development of community, spirituality, and clarify your group’s mission.

Community building is integral to CLCs. In addition to weekly meetings, CLC members have the opportunity to engage in social, service and retreat opportunities.

An Invitation to CLC
CLC is a wonderful opportunity to build relationships and reflect on God’s presence in your life. CLC is not a club where you can sign up and then dropout. It is a commitment to yourself, your relationship with God, and with others. Of course, there will be times when one will miss a meeting, but these must be the exception and not the norm.

CLCs are open to on- and off-campus students. Campus Ministry will help you to find a CLC group that can work with your schedule.

Generally, CLCs meet Sunday through Thursday in the evening. Groups can be formed at other times according to people’s schedules and desire.

Thinking of a CLC Leadership Position?
Lead a CLC! Grow together with others in their faith jouney.
Training provided; you do not have to be a CLC member to apply.

“To reveal myself openly and honestly takes the rawest kind of courage.” - Rev. John Powell, S.J.

Contact Rev. Jim Collins, S.J., coordinator of small faith communities