Western Australia

In the WA region, we currently have eight groups, seven of which are in the Perth Metropolitan area and a remote group that has members in the Kimberley, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

A CLC group is generally made up of six to eight members, normally led by a trained CLC guide, who meet fortnightly for quiet prayer, most often based on Scripture. This is followed by a sharing of experiences in which members reflect on how and where they have encountered God in their daily lives. Members are from many different walks of life and the range of ages, interests and activities is quite broad.

The WA Executive Committee (WA ExCo) plans activities for members such as retreats, prayer days, opportunities for activity in areas of social justice, care of creation and social functions. In WA such activities include: taking part in the Palm Sunday March for Refugees, an annual tree planting day, beach clean-up activities, an annual Reflective Walk and regular gatherings to come together in a wider group to share our common charism and connection. By participating in these activities, CLC members experience being part of the wider CLC community.

We provide an ongoing Ignatian Spirituality formation program each year with an annual Retreat Weekend being one of the highlights of our WA CLC Calendar. This year our retreat took place from Friday 27th September to Sunday 29th September.  The Theme was ‘Listening to the cry of Earth and the cry of those made poor and marginalized‘.

Aside from our annual Retreat, our main formation focus is on the First Spiritual Exercises (FSE) of Saint Ignatius. A number of our members have received training in presenting these Reflections to groups and individuals. The First Spiritual Exercises are a form of the Spiritual Exercises that are given in daily life. There are four possible Retreats and each one lasts for four weeks and offers many of the elements of a residential retreat, but the prayer and reflection takes place in the person’s home and is designed to fit in with the participant’s daily family and work commitments. There is then a weekly meeting with the retreat giver. This can be done in person or via Zoom. In addition, ‘taster’ FSE Reflections are offered from time to time.

If you would like more information about CLC Western Australia or would like to talk about joining a CLC group or doing a First Spiritual Exercise retreat in daily life, please contact Kevin Wringe at kwringe@iinet.net.au .

For further Ignatian Spirituality opportunities you are invited to go to the Ignatian Spirituality WA (ISWA) website at www.ignatianspiritualitywa.com.au