CLC
COMMUNIQUÉ
No 4/ March 2011
The Communication of the South African Region
Western Cape – Eastern Cape – Gauteng
Dear National Community
World CLC Day Prayer for the people of Japan
I include the letter and prayer from the Japanese CLC EA. Perhaps we too would like to add our prayers to the Novena he asks for, in the wake of this appalling disaster and leading up to World CLC Day on Friday. Also included in this Communiqué is the La Verna Progress Report that Jane Hulley has drawn up for us.
Dear Friends in the Lord,
I really appreciate your concern and prayer. Although the present situation is still tense and unpredictable, many suffering people are very calm and many people try to help them with all their strength. I can see many positive side of humanity. I got some consolation. I asked many Japanese CLC members and Catholic friends to pray together. We start Novena today. If you are interested, please join us.
Novena prayer from March 17 - the Memorial Day of Japanese Catholics' discovery in Nagasaki to 25- the Feast of the Annunciation and the World CLC Day.
Intentions:
1. The victims (550,000 people) may get sufficient supports
2. The deceased people (the number is more than 5,000. It has been getting bigger day by day) may have eternal peace in Heaven.
3. The radioactive leak may stop as soon as possible.
The contents of prayer is free: Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Meditation, whatever you can do. I suppose hundreds Catholics join this Novena prayer. Please join us. Even only one day or two days are O.K. Let me explain about today's Memorial Day. It is very special day for Japanese Christians. Almost 400 years ago the Japanese Government persecuted Japanese Catholics very severely an estimated 200,000 Catholics were martyred in heroic ways. They thought all Christians were terminated at that time but they continued to prohibit Christianity very strictly. After the old Government was ruined and new modern Government started about 150 years ago, many foreigners came to Japan. One Catholic priest came in order to take care of them. When he prayed in the chapel on March 17, several Japanese farmers entered the chapel. They asked 3 questions to that priest, "Do you venerate St. Mary, Our Mother?", "Do you respect the Pope as a leader of the Church?", "Are you a single?" He said, "Yes". Then they said, "You and we have the same heart". Japanese Christians appeared suddenly.
It was really big surprise that they kept their faith completely in secret one generation to the next for 250 years. Without any priest and the Holy Eucharist they baptized their kids, said Catholic prayers, celebrated Christmas and the Passover every year. They could survive as a group in spite of the severe suppression of the Government. That priest thought this is one of the Holy miracles in Catholic Church. This is the reason why we Japanese celebrate this miracle today. Yes. We Japanese never give up any difficulty.
+ God, our Father, You are the true ruler of this World. We praise your holy name. Please have mercy on the miserable people in Japan who suffer from Earthquake, Tsunami, and radioactive pollution. Lord, have mercy on us. Please give us peace, hope, and courage to overcome these difficulties. We totally trust on you. Though we are sinners, we cannot help but trust you. You are the only refuge and security. Please give courage and strength especially to those who are engaged in rescue and help directly. We believe you can help us. In the name of the Lord. Amen.
Ei-chan R. Hanafusa, s.j. E.A. of Japan CLC
There is so much violence and intimidation and unrest in Libya and Egypt. The prayer that we pray for Japan, let us pray for them as well.
Progress Report on Recommendations made at the CLC National Assembly at La Verna in July 2009.
To refresh your memories here is a summary of those recommendations taken from the document from La Verna:
APOSTOLIC BODY
We are challenged as a Community to develop a visible apostolate that identifies us as CLC.
MEMBERSHIP
To encourage membership by introducing CLC to parishes by offering Weeks of Guided Prayer and Open Door Retreats.
FINANCE
Organise one National Fundraising Event annually and fundraising in groups and by individuals.
FORMATION
A Formation Resource Pack to be compiled to include :
History of CLC
Information on the Spiritual Exercises
CLC documents
Glossary of terms
COMMITMENT
To clarify what commitment entails at an early stage of formation.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
Members of CLC to be encouraged to experience the spiritual exercises however possible.
LEADERSHIP
The need for training in leadership at all levels was identified.
Group guides and other leadership training to be given in a series of workshops.
NETWORKING
It is essential for CLC to network with other groups in and outside the church whose focus is on trying to combat the suffering in the World.
APOSTOLIC BODY
The formation team prepared a set of meeting plans entitled
“Journeying towards becoming an Apostolic Body, Formation for Mission”, to help us discern a common and urgent need which we as a community might address. A large proportion of CLCers have used this document for reflection and sent their responses to the formation team. The Exco considered these responses and other sharing from meetings together during the past year and discerned the most urgent, common and greatest need is in the field of education and childcare. By now you will have received a letter from Exco asking for your support or not for the project we suggest.
MEMBERSHIP
There are 55 active members in CLC at the moment. A number of members have resigned but new people have joined our community. There are new groups in Cape Town. One group was started after an Open Door Retreat in the Plumstead parish. The students at Kolbe have been targeted by the group that meets there and a number of student groups meet regularly. The Kolbe group has divided and new people are joining.
In Port Elizabeth, new people have been introduced to CLC by joining an existing group. This group is preparing to split into two.
The National Exco identified recruitment especially of young people as a priority.
FINANCE
The National Fundraising event took place in all the regions in 2009. Members are contributing generously and regularly to the CLC funds as collection of regular subs. is being implemented Although there was no National Fundraising event in 2010, fundraising was done in all the regions. With the help of Peter Pugin (Fr Graham’s brother), a simplified financial system of accounting has been put in place. All the regions will use the same system for keeping track of finances. The combination of regular giving and a variety of fundraising efforts and a financial plan has meant that our finances are in a healthier and positive state. We need to continue our efforts to enable us to spread and share with others, the gifts of CLC.
FORMATION
The formation team consists of Mandy Jones and Anne Dormehl. They will consult with other CLCers when necessary.
COMMITMENT
There are 27 people who have made commitments, more than half our membership. (19 temporary and 8 permanent.) In December 2010 Permanent commitment Mandy Jones Temporary commitment Anne Dormehl and Sabe Makgothi
The formation team is working on clarifying the commitment process. Members are to be encouraged to consider temporary and permanent commitment as a regular part of being member of CLC.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
In all the regions the members are asking for more experience and access to the Spiritual Exercises. Graham has given some input in groups, much more is needed.
LEADERSHIP
In November 2009, Sabe Makgothi and Jane Hulley took part in the Leadership Course in Nairobi Anglophone Africa. Parts of the course were presented by Sabe and Jane in Johannesburg, Cape Town and East London in 2010. In JHB Antony Egan, EA for Gauteng, attended part of the course and gave some input. In CPT and EL, Graham Pugin was part of the team. In EL the training was for guides and leadership. The Nat Exco has identified the need to look at the parts of the course that have not been presented and to use expertise of other members of CLC in presenting the relevant modules. Guides training will be done in each region in the groups by Graham during 2011.
NETWORKING
In Western Cape CLC is involved with the Ignatian Family and the Centre for Christian Spirituality has asked to be part of the monthly Days of Prayer. CLC’s relationship with the Jesuits is growing since all the regions have the help of a Jesuit in the position of ecclesial assistant (EA)
Everyone in CLC has done well in taking seriously the recommendations we made at La Verna in July 2009 and in making a start in implementing them. Of course we must continue to develop in all the areas mentioned.
Jane Hulley
Remember our Lenten CLC Prayer:
Is this what we really want ?
Prayer and discernment for our CLC apostolate!
With best wishes for a grace filled and blessed World Day this Friday.
The National Exco Team: Kaye, Jane, Veronica, Fr Graham and Mandy