CLI changes lives forever - yours may be the next!

Throughout the years, many have heard of this magical place; and with each passing group, a whole new troop of God's followers emerge with their hearts filled with hope and excitement.

It's the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI), which has had its home at Pyramid Lake for many years. Some who have not ventured up there still view it as a "Jesus Camp." Little do they know that they will never be the same, once they return.

Unique week

Not to scare anyone away, but the emotional aspect of these days is very intense. Friends were made, lessons were learned, and memories were created that will be hard to forget.

I left, a changed person, with a view on life that astounded my family and friends. I had it all figured out. I could change the world, and God would be there to help guide me through.

Keeping the faith

But I would like to introduce you to a few people I know who have not only kept their zeal alive, but also have helped it to thrive. In order to fully show you what an amazing time this is, and why you should allow yourself the happiness of fulfilling this week, I asked them to share their thoughts on their experience. They are:

* Cara Gavagan, who went to CLI and is also on the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team with me. She belongs to Corpus Christi parish in Round Lake and is a student at the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany.

* Mike Nuttall is a member of St. Thomas parish in Delmar. He attended CLI in the summer of 2000 and hopes to return next year as a member of the kitchen crew.

* Jill Monahan and Eric Buell attended CLI along with Mike. Eric's from St. Francis de Sales parish in Loudonville and is a senior at Catholic Central High School in Troy. Jill is a senior at Glens Falls High School and a parishioner at St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls.

'Eye-opening'

When I asked them to describe their experience in a word or phrase, their responses were similar:

* Cara: "CLI really opened my eyes to how cool being Catholic can be."

* Mike: "Eye-opening."

* Jill: "Amazing."

* Eric: "It filled an empty void that had been growing inside of me. It kind of 'lit the spark' that started me doing the things that I do today. It's now a raging forest fire that can't be quenched." (Obviously, Eric still has a lot to say on the matter!)

Busy time

While "some of them got a little boring at times," said Cara, each workshop held valuable lessons that were easily applied to everyday life back home.

Each of these past participants still fondly remembers the lessons on "I-Statements" and uses them when he or she needs a way to talk out their thoughts.

Special Masses

There is loud, joyous, rock-and-roll singing. There's music, led by Richard Putorti and a group of musical participants. There are youth readers, youth ministers and youth excitement.

Mike recalls everyone in his CLI standing up and screaming at the top of their lungs the words to the song, "Our God is an Awesome God," huge group-hugs, and a 20-minute-long Sign of Peace because each person had to reach everyone!

There is a great feeling of companionship and friendship that develops over the course of these days that lasts and grows much longer after you leave.

Benefits

* Mike: "CLI gave me the confidence and the skills to be capable of leading people in the best way possible. Go in open-minded, and be sure to try and be open to everything there. Avoid sectioning off with a clique of people. Take the opportunity to become friends with everyone there and try to keep the whole group as unified as possible."

* Cara: "CLI is about living in a community with other people, instead of just hanging out with other people. In the community, you are forced to be honest and open. This environment is so great because everyone is free to be themselves. CLI becomes a very comfortable place. The challenge is taking the CLI experience and applying it to real life, because in real life, not everyone lives in that kind of community. You've gotta go up there with an open mind and an open heart, or else you won't let yourself have fun."

* Jill: "I got the chance to see quite a few of my peers who were excited about God's Good News and want to make a positive impact on the world. It gave me the inspiration to want to keep being involved in the Church. Go into the program with an open mind, and don't be afraid of opening up to the whole experience."

* Eric: "It wasn't just a five-day experience. CLI represents a life-long journey of faith that will never die within me. The program not only had a positive effect on my life; it completely changed my outlook on my life. It made me realize that there are a lot of good people that are trying to make a difference. Now I can proudly say that I am one of those people striving to make our faith and local community better places. Don't have expectations. Go there just as you would any other trip. Let the beauty of God's awesome power fill you, and you will be touched. Leave everything at home and go there with an open mind, an open heart and open arms -- and the hugs will follow."

(11-08-01) [[In-content Ad]]