The CLC World Council meets once a year in-person to review the work plan, assess activities, discuss various administrative matters, and address many issues concerning communities worldwide. This annual meeting usually takes place in Rome, but this year was different.
When Injy Fayez, the former president of CLC Egypt, was elected to the World Council in 2023, she suggested that the annual council meeting shouldn’t necessarily take place in Rome, and suggested another venue, Cairo. The idea was warmly welcomed by all council members.
The members of the World Council arrived in Egypt and started their intensive daily meetings; CLC Egypt members were sustaining them in prayer. About halfway through their time, the council members scheduled to meet the communities in Egypt. Indeed, the CLC Council in Egypt coordinated the meeting, suggesting that the World Council meet with the communities during the monthly prayer-hour held at the Jesuit Holy Family School in Cairo.
On February 3rd, the members of the World Council arrived at the school’s church. The prayer-hour began with most CLC Egypt members present, offering wonderful reflections, hymns, and prayers. In an atmosphere of reverence, silence, and tranquility, everyone began to pray as one soul.
The gathering began after the prayer, and we all went out to socialize and enjoy some snacks. Then we moved to the dining hall, where the members in Cairo had prepared a dinner of diverse Egyptian dishes; everything was made with lots of love. Laughter filled the air, there were many photos, phone numbers were exchanged and promises of further communication; and it finished with dancing time.
The members of the World Council did not come up with any advice or recommendation at that time, but as brothers and sisters. They simply wanted to get to know us, to share this time with us in an atmosphere of love, fellowship, and brotherhood.
After this gathering, I found myself repeating the words of the Psalm, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” I realized that I do not belong only to my team, nor only to the Egyptian community, but to a larger family, one that includes brothers from all over the world, brothers who share the same spirit despite the distance, who understand each other well despite their different languages, and whose journeys are united despite their varied backgrounds.
Thank you, Lord, for this global family!
Dalia Yassa
Team Menawarin (Luminous)– CLC—Cairo
