FORMATION FOR MISSION

All Saints Day 1 November 2008

Dear Friends in CLC

The World CLC Assembly, as you all know, took place at Fatima on 8-23 August 2008. It was, as Lisa Beer said, a graced experience. Australia, represented by  Lisa Beer, Nick Galante and Chris Hogan, was one of 60 countries at the Assembly. The responses you gave to Stages 1 & 2 reflection materials, together with  material prepared by NEXCO, were valuable to our delegates in presenting to the World Assembly an outline of the CLC life and mission in Australia. We’d like to thank you all for your responses and also to those who reflected but had not been able to respond. We realise time was short.

Likewise, delegates from other countries also forwarded responses from their national and  local communities.

The World CLC Assembly is a discerning body that receives input (such as your responses, materials from NEXCO) from National communities and members. From these, the Assembly then articulates directions and sends delegates and National CLCs forth to take on board the directions into all levels of the community – World CLC EXCO, National ExCos and members and local CLCs. In fact, two documents from the World Assembly have already been sent to all National CLCs. These documents are the first articulation of what will be a series of articulations resulting from the Assembly. We are expecting a document on Formation from the Assembly soon.

The two documents are available on the website:

1. an inspiring address given by Fr Adolfo Nicolas sj who is both Ecclesiastical Assistant to World CLC and General of the Society of Jesus;
2. the Assembly recommendations.

We recommend both documents for your personal and communal reflection. The first stage for CLC members and groups is to ‘hear’ and reflect prayerfully what the Assembly has heard and articulated, and to listen to how that resonates, moves and leads us forward.

Once again, we acknowledge that time is limited for many people and there is much to ponder and digest in each of these papers and what is yet to come. As such, while we encourage you to read the above two documents, we’re offering two ‘shorter’ papers and questions for reflection personally and within your local CLC groups and communities.

1. Two page extracts from Fr Nicolas’s talk, scripture texts, and questions to prompt reflection;
2. One page reflection on the World Assembly from one of our delegates, Nick Galante.

We invite you to use the two papers personally and/or for a community meeting either before the end of the year or to begin 2009. It is particularly appropriate during Advent as reflection on the prophetic mission.

We would appreciate any one page responses by 17 March 2009.

As we listen, see, pray and reflect in these troubled and uncertain times, may we be led by the Spirit assured that our God is always present and active in us. Emmanuel.

We wish you a fruitful close to the year, a prayerful Advent, and blessed and happy Christmas.

Mary Nolan
for the National CLC Formation Group
Anna Munari, Liz Pichner, Veronica Hendriks, Bill Uren SJ, Nick Galante