Dick Ellis passed away this year.  He had been a member of CLCNW since 1990.  Dick was passionate about life.  Whether in CLC or in any other part of his life Dick put his whole effort into making a difference.  He came into meetings with ideas to share and listened to the ideas of others and worked until the ideas took form and shape and became more than just an idea.

Dick was “the first lay principle of Bellarmine Prep and also the founding principal of Eastside Catholic High School.  His ministry throughout his adult life was to teach, to mentor, and to reach out to others to find ways to make a difference.  At St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Dick was involved in many ministries, including a men’s group ministry.  Dick was also a leader in a marriage enrichment group.  Those he led looked up to him as confidante, teacher and spiritual advisor. 

Dick was active in the homelessness ministry at St. Josephs, not only reaching out to help those in need, but also trying to understand those needs better and find ways to make a difference in people’s lives.
Dick lived his life by listening and learning and trying to find ways to apply what he learned to everyday life.  When he had questions about the justice system’s way of handling immigration he and Linda went to the Mexican/US border to try to understand better the issues of people coming into this country.  He worked tirelessly whether for immigration justice, racial justice, homelessness, social justice and to further the causes of CLC or for all other aspects of his life.

Dick gave to others.  He listened and came up with ideas and made a difference in the lives of so many and he loved and lived life to the fullest. 

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As you know, this past November, CLC-USA received an invitation from the World CLC Executive Council to participate in the 2021 Synod launched by Pope Francis whose theme was "For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission".  During the months of March through May CLC-USA reached out to the CLC groups making up CLC-USA asking for as many people as possible to join together in small groups to talk, discern and share their feelings.  “Approximately 625 individuals” from all of the CLC regions and cultural groups met in small communities for listening sessions to discern what the Spirit wants to say to the Church at this time.  A synthesis of the hundreds of comments submitted in the reports from the listening sessions, assembled in three separate documents focusing on the Synod’s central themes, has been prepared and submitted to the CLC World ExCo.”  These documents will be shared with all of the CLC communities soon. 

Lorraine Damman - Secretary CLCNW