Workshop: The Clock of Life
9th to 12th May 2025

The Clock of Life was a four-day experiential training seminar composed of six immersive workshops, each exploring key emotional and existential themes related to aging and personal growth:

1. A Moment of Gratitude and Self-Acceptance – Addressed the loss of declining abilities.
2. A Moment to Open Up to Others – Focused on loneliness and emotional openness.
3. A Moment to Forgive Oneself and Others – Explored the impact of unforgiveness.
4. A Moment of Recognition and Decision – Reflected on the contrast between idealized and real aging.
5. A Moment to Rediscover the Meaning of Our Life – Confronted the absence of life’s meaning.
6. A Moment to Set the Clock of Our Life – Encouraged the creation of a renewed life project.

Following the experiential sessions, three online modules will be provided to deepen understanding:
• Session 1: Theoretical concept
• Session 2: Methodology, dynamics, and pedagogical approaches
• Session 3: Practical delivery considerations for diverse settings such as parishes, community centres, residential homes, and prisons.

Personal Reflections:

Patricia and Vittore Stilon (CLC Malta):

The workshop titled The Clock of Life: Spirituality for Seniors, organised by CLC Europe, offered us a deeply enriching experience whilst exploring faith and spirituality in later life. Held in a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the Oblate Retreat Centre in Crewe, the event brought together Christian Life Community (CLC) members from the UK and Malta. For us, the Maltese participants, meeting fellow CLCers from the UK was a heartening reminder of the community’s activity and vibrancy, reinforcing a sense of belonging to something much larger than ourselves.

The theme of the workshop encouraged us to reflect on the seasons of our lives, prompting deep personal insights and an appreciation of the spiritual wisdom that comes with age. Group work was an integral part of the event, allowing us to engage meaningfully with others in small circles of trust. Within these groups, personal sharing was not only encouraged but flourished—conversations were intimate, honest, and marked by a profound sense of mutual respect and spiritual companionship.

Many participants noted how the depth of these exchanges created a sacred space where vulnerability became a strength and not a burden. Through the sharing of stories, joys, and challenges, the workshop became a mirror to each person’s spiritual journey. At the end we left feeling not only spiritually nourished but also seen and heard in a way that is rare and precious.

The opportunity to reflect on life’s transitions, framed by Ignatian spirituality, helped us find renewed purpose and peace in our current stage of life. Overall, The Clock of Life workshop was a powerful reminder that the journey of faith continues to deepen with age and that being part of the CLC network means walking that journey with others who understand, support, and inspire.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Marcos our leader from CLC Spain, for his wonderful delivery and his insights into this stage of our lives, and Cristina and Elena from CLC UK for their invaluable support throughout the whole experience.

M Antoinette Dalli (CLC Malta):

I found this whole experience very enriching. I have done a lot of work on myself, and keep on doing it. But in this seminar, I realised how far I had come, from the shy youngster, afraid of her own shadow, and feeling inferior to everyone else. But life experiences have changed me. God gave me a great gift, in never giving up, learn from my own mistakes and able to grow, hence getting more mature through the different changes that life offered me. During the seminar the topics chosen were well thought out as expressed above. I had the opportunity to appreciate how beautiful life is, not in spite of the struggles and hardships, but because of them.

I had met the concept of the train of life on Facebook and it immediately touched me, because I often had to look at my life to see where God was in it. I realised how many people were in it whom God had sent to help me.

I was really glad to look at forgiveness. Like everyone else, in my life I had to learn to forgive big and smaller hurts, and during this seminar I learnt more techniques to dissolve anger.

I was very touched that in every section there were meditations on the Gospel which were very appropriate to what was being worked on, Songs that touched me deeply, as well as poems and stories. For me, God is very important and very much part of me, and I rely on Him for everything.

I learnt a lot from the personal work that we did, which I have continued to do. I had already started to work on myself regarding the loss of different abilities and my fear to show my vulnerability and to ask for help. But that is changing and am working really hard on it.
I am very aware of what a lot of work went into preparing this weekend and the energy that must have been needed. I appreciate the new friendships I made, especially that of someone I had met before leaving England, and now we are in touch again. I thank, from the bottom of my heart, Marcos, Cristina and Elena, for their different roles of presenter and translators. I look forward to the on-line sessions. A really incredible experience, Thank you.