{"id":18329,"date":"2026-05-30T11:24:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T09:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cvx-clc.net\/?p=18329"},"modified":"2026-05-30T11:24:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T09:24:37","slug":"world-clc-day-what-does-family-mean-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cvx-clc.net\/en\/world-clc-day-what-does-family-mean-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"World CLC Day: What does family mean to you?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The question at the heart of World CLC Day, \u201cWhat does family mean to you?\u201d, is one I found myself sitting deeply with.<\/p>\n

To some, family is a source of love and support. For others, that love and support comes through their church community and CLC group. These spaces are a source of love and a glimpse of God’s love for us, so that we in turn can be a source of love to the people around us.<\/p>\n

And yet, family is not always easy. It carries with it sacrifice, acceptance and the willingness to stay with one another through difficulty.<\/p>\n

No family is without its imperfections, whether it is our human families, our CLC communities, or the wider Church. We are all works in progress. There is something hopeful in that. Even where things are not ideal, people can still grow, and communities can still grow together.<\/p>\n

It was genuinely good to meet members from different CLC small groups in person, people from different walks of life and different parts of the UK at the World CLC Day Celebration in London, both in the room and through screens. Hearing each other’s stories and learning about their families and their journeys was a simple but meaningful part of the day. Some spoke of faith passed down through generations. Others of losses they had carried. Others of new additions to their families. Through all of it, CLC has been a quiet companion for its members at different stages of life.<\/p>\n

We are grateful that we were able to meet in person in London, and meeting in person also brought something I had not quite anticipated. Seeing the lovely young family that one of our members had brought along was truly heart-warming. The little ones curiously exploring the surroundings, trying to join in and be helpful in their own sweet way, while their parents gently cared for them and facilitated the meeting so that everything ran smoothly. Their love for one another radiated, and it moved me to reflect on and appreciate God’s amazing love, so tenderly shown to us through family.<\/p>\n

There was one scene that particularly struck me. While the little ones were busy exploring the world around them, their parents were always lovingly gazing at them, watching over them, ready to step in at any moment. It reminded me of how God willingly lets us explore this world.<\/p>\n

Yes, there are times we fall, but He is always lovingly looking after us in the background, even when we are not aware of it. That is what stayed with me. The value of being able to share and to listen and to be part of a community that walks alongside you wherever you are.<\/p>\n

Angelica Tong and Elizabeth Lam, South East Region<\/strong><\/h4>\n

World CLC Day acknowledged the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis\u2019s \u2018Apostolic Exhortation\u2019 on pastoral care to families. A talk was given based on love within the family, from which the reflective questions were presented. We then went into small groups to contemplate and share.<\/p>\n