Christian Life Communities
At Fordham University, our Christian Learning Communities (CLC) are built upon the three pillars of faith, community, and mission, and are a great way to nourish your faith, form lasting friendships, and live out the gospel values!
Faith: CLC is a strong foundation of faith, a way of "finding God in all things." Groups focus on Scripture, prayer, song, meditation, and just about any life and faith topics they want to explore.
Community: CLC is a great way to connect with others and form lasting friendships. God's love helps us to be ourselves, share our experience, and support each other through all the ups and downs of life.
Mission: CLC supports us in our efforts to live what we believe, to put the Gospel values into action. Explore issues of faith and justice while actively participating in a variety of service opportunities.
You might ask:
Do I have to be "super religious" to join a CLC? No. Many in CLC are just beginning to explore their spirituality and faith, and how religion and church fits into this. Wherever you find yourself on this spectrum of life, church, and faith, you are most welcome to join a CLC.
Can I be "super religious" and join a CLC? Yes! See Above.
Do I have to be Christian or Catholic? People of all faiths, backgrounds, and denominations are welcome. However, it should be clear that CLC is rooted in the life and love of Jesus in the Christian faith and a rich tradition of Ignatian spirituality.
How often do groups meet? Small groups meet once a week, for an hour. People usually hang out afterwards with snacks etc.-- .optional for all you busy folks!
How many people are in a group? Generally between six and 10 people.
Who leads the groups? A compassionate, friendly group of student leaders and Jesuit Scholastics who are eager to share their faith and grow in God's love.
What actually happens in the groups? Sharing, prayer, laughter, friendship, service, and support! Each group takes on it's own unique personality, but there is a general format we follow: beginning with prayer, or poetry, or song followed by a personal sharing of our weeks followed by some type of "focus exercise" exploring one of the three pillars of faith, community, and service. Closing prayer, snacks, hang out.
How does the sharing work, are there any ground rules or guidelines? We never force anything, and you should share only what you are comfortable sharing and at your own pace. We review group guidelines together and place a high priority on listening, respect of others, and the ongoing development of a trusting, caring environment. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of sharing.
How do I join a group? Begin by filling out the registration and giving us some insight into what you're looking for in a group (community, faith, service, etc.) and the days and times that would work best for you. Once we have your registration, we'll contact you to talk things over ... in some cases you may join an entirely new group and sometimes a pre-existing group.
What if I join a CLC and find it's not for me? No problem and no pressure to continue ... though we do encourage you to give it some time to really get a feel for how great it can be!
Can I join with friends? Yes! Just make a note on your registration, and we'll do our best to place you together.
Drop by a campus ministry office near you to fill out a registration form:
- Rose Hill, visit McGinley 102
- Lincoln Center, visit Lowenstein 217
Remember, it's okay to "give it a try," and no one is going to pressure you if it's not for you. Once we have your registration form, we'll contact you to talk things over and suggest possible groups for you to join. Peace!
Feel free to contact us for more information:
Sr. Mary Catherine Redmond, PBVM
Pastoral Minister for Christian Life Communities
Email: mredmond5@fordham.edu