CCL at the World Meeting of Families

Since I started work at CCL this summer, it seems like the news and excitement has been nonstop! From the new logo, revamped website, and launch of the self-paced course, we have been up to our ears in news. Now there’s another accomplishment on the list: World Meeting of Families!

Several staffers became pilgrims a couple of weeks ago, packed their bags and set out to share what CCL has to offer at the World Meeting of Families. The event is the largest gathering of Catholic families and works to enliven and strengthen all families across the globe. The week-long Congress before the papal weekend was attended by 20,000 people from over 100 countries.

“It was vital that we were there,” explained Ann Gundlach, CCL’s Director of Communications. “The huge exhibit hall during the Congress was like an epicenter for all ministries that focus on families. It was great to stand up for the importance of our particular part of the Church’s mission to strengthen marriage and family, and it was nice to showcase CCL’s presence on the world stage.”

With a booth full of materials and opportunities abound, CCL spoke to young couples, clergy, families and diocesan reps about CCL’s mission and natural family planning. And it was great to have many CCL volunteers attending the conference stop by to say hello! Besides interest in our new online self-paced class, we had several inquiries about our Spanish program from visitors, many outside of the U.S. CCL has always taken pride in having an international presence and looks forward to enhancing Spanish course offerings in the coming years.

It was also good to see and talk to a few other NFP providers at World Meeting of Families. All of the NFP groups play a vital role in strengthening marriages and families, and therefore, society. “Many people stopped by to thank us for our work and our mission. They showed a lot of appreciation and gratitude for what we do,” Gundlach said.

The World Meeting of Families was a natural event for CCL to participate in, especially with the chosen theme for the conference: “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.” CCL is all about building joyful marriages, and the key is right there in our tagline — Live the Love! CCL helps couples truly “live the love” of their marriage vows by teaching NFP. The World Meeting of Families provided a great platform to share that message. We’re marking this one a success!

Jeff & Erika Cowman	Matt & Franchelle Jaeger	Pat & Roger Frey
Fr. Gilberto Gomez, Colombia	Joe & Carol D’Alessio, Mike Manhart

— Megan Imwalle
CCL Communications Intern