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Told through the voices of residents, Moundsville is “an economic biography of a classic American town” located along the Ohio River in West Virginia. Pittsburgh CLC member and former Wall Street Journal reporter John W. Miller co-directed the film with David Bernarbo. The stories of the local people--in their own voices--offer a great way for us to better connect and understand each other... and to laugh with and appreciate one another, too! It was very well done!

Here's another article by John W. Miller (Breathing Room CLC, Pittsburgh) that explores his latest film project with a behind-the-scenes analysis of choices he and his partner made in framing the narrative of this small town. I think the documentary is an example of wisdom language that Fr Nicholas speaks to us about as we live our vocation in the world, preaching the gospel at all times, if necessary using words, and always inviting, not imposing a deeper understanding of one another, from a world view based in Love.

Be part of the largest annual Catholic social justice gathering in the United States. Click the blue text heading above to go to the IFTJ website with the list of all speakers and events. The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) is an annual gathering for members of the Ignatian family (Jesuit institutions and larger church) to come together in the context of social justice and solidarity to learn, reflect, pray, network, and advocate together. It is a place where people are empowered, re-energized, inspired, challenged, and supported by a community that sees faith and justice integrally linked. Now in its 21st year, the IFTJ has a rich history rooted in honoring the Jesuits and their companions who were martyred in El Salvador in 1989.

The CLC NorthWest Region held its annual retreat from September 14-16 at Collins Retreat Center in Eagle Creek outside of Portland, Oregon. The retreat theme was "Finding God in All Things" led by Fr. Larry Gooley SJ.

The final document of the Buenos Aires World Assembly is not … final. And maybe we should not even refer to a document, because it’s rather a narrative. Thus, you have two excellent reasons to dive into the reading with curiosity. Please click on the blue heading text above to read the document.

In a message addressed to Mauricio Lopez, President of the World Christian Life Communities, Pope Francis sent encouragement to all members to “to continue to make Christ present in their respective environments", giving an apostolic meaning to all the activities they undertake. Representatives of 70 countries are gathered in Buenos Aires for the World Assembly of Christian Life Communities. The assembly is taking place from 22 to 31 July in Buenos Aires. Expressing appreciation for their particular charism the Pope thanked all participants for their “dedication and love towards the Church and towards their brothers and sisters”. Click the blue heading text above to read the Vatican News article.

Jesuit Fr. General Arturo Sosa S.J., the World Ecclesiastical Assistant for CLC, addressed the World Assembly gathering of CLC-CVX delegates from over 70 countries currently ongoing in Buenos Aires. The title of his talk was "A Discerning Lay Community in the Service of Reconciliation." The full text of Fr. General's address is available by clicking the blue heading text above.

The World Assembly team has curated all the happenings of the Assembly into an excellent and comprehensive website with daily updates, prayers, stories, photos and videos. Please click the blue heading text above to view the Assembly website and follow along with the delegates.

CLC members from Michigan and Ohio gathered in Toledo, Ohio at St. John's High School for the annual spring region day. Presenter Father Lou Papes, led a day of recollection titled "Francis' Call to Holiness in the Modern World." Prior to the meeting, members were asked to read Gaudete et Exsultate. "Rejoice and Be Glad" ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN TODAY'S WORLD. The day concluded with Mass. Several members commented on how well the Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter enhanced the theme of the day. After Mass, members gathered with Father Lou for a group photo.

The CLC-USA Executive Council (ExCo) held an in-person meeting at the River’s Edge Retreat and Conference Center (Motherhouse of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph) in Cleveland, Ohio from April 24 - 27. The goal of the meeting was to make operational some clear next-steps in designated high-priority areas (formation, communication, membership, youth and young adults), moving them to the next level of implementation, and to reach a consensus on certain other directional goals that need further attention; and address new issues that have come before ExCo and require action.

NY Metro CLC members were delighted to welcome Fr. Trevor Scott S.J., the Ecclesial Assistant of CLC Canada, to lead the annual Lenten World CLC Day of Prayer at Fordham. The subject of the day was Projects 169: “Caring for our gift, offering it more generously in joy." During the morning session, Fr. Scott presented on the history of the previous World Assemblies and how CLC reflects on them with consciousness and gratitude. In the afternoon, Fr. Scott spoke about how CLC shares in "Taking Joy in Thinking in Harmony with Francis’ Vision" as expressed in Pope Francis' encyclical The Joy of the Gospel. Click on the blue headline text above to access a pdf copy of Fr. Scott's presentation.

This past weekend, 21 young adults from the Midwest came together for a SEED discernment and formation weekend in Houston TX. Veteran SEED Young Adults from around the US made up the core team providing the content of the program. Dong Hanh and CLC at large prayed for this gathering...so the participants felt very blessed and cared for through the prayers, food and hospitality of the Houston communities. It was a faith filled weekend full of awesomeness..!! By clicking on the blue headline text above, you can access more information about the weekend and read the heartfelt sharing about how God was calling these young adults during the weekend.

The theme of our next World Assembly (this summer in Buenos Aires) invites us to look at CLC as a gift. A gift is something that may be either received or given, or, as in the case of our CLC graced experience, received in order to be given: “you received without charge, give without charge” (Mt 10, 8). In the preparation for the Assembly, we are asked to acknowledge with greater profundity and gratitude what we have been given, and increase our readiness to share it in service, in the Church and in the world. Please click on the blue text above to view Projects 169 for World CLC Day 2018.

CLC is participating along with 35 Jesuits and colleagues gathered from around the world to address the question of how to share their work with others, especially across international borders. This is not new territory for Jesuits and their colleagues: the Society of Jesus was a deliberately multinational organization from its very first days. But in the last forty years—marked from Pedro Arrupe, S.J.’s, recognition of the need for the Jesuit Refugee Service—Jesuits have made a more deliberate attempt to link together the wide variety of Jesuit works to share resources and focus efforts on common apostolic goals.

15 Magi boxes sent by CLC-USA arrived in Puerto Rico. The president of CVX-CLC PR sends his thanks and update.

UPDATE: 125 pounds of powdered milk that has arrived in PR sent from CLC-USA members to PR.  

The United States is currently home to over 300,000 immigrants from ten countries who receive Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS has given these individuals the opportunity to rebuild their lives in the U.S. when conditions in their countries of origin, such as natural disasters or armed conflict, prevent their return. Many of them have lived here for years. They are integrated into our communities – they are our neighbors, fellow parishioners, sisters and brothers. Many have U.S. citizen siblings, spouses, or children. In the coming weeks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will determine whether to extend or terminate this status for individuals from El Salvador and Honduras. Click on title to read entire article from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States' Office of Justice and Equality.

This note is to forward Jeanne's info about the powdered milk postage costs, as well as to provide a brief update on the on-going efforts of solidarity with Puerto Rico that CLC-USA's AAA community has been so gratefully engaged in this Advent/Christmas season.

Families continue to struggle with little access to basic necessities. Magi gift boxes to families can help and show our love and support.

Update on CVX activities in Puerto Rico and a call for continued support and prayers.