On August 18, the CL community in Chicago hosted a community day at Indiana Dunes State Park. "Dunes Day," as it has been coined over the years, attracted over 100 people--adults and children--from six states and over ten communities. We had lunch together, participated in an assembly, hiked the Dunes, and spent time on the beach bordering Lake Michigan.

Dunes Day is an event I look forward to every year. However this year, I was particularly struck by the gesture's beauty. From those who drove long distances--some five hours--to be together, to those serving us food, to those who gave witnesses at the Assembly--it was evident that Something Else was in our midst.

Especially helpful was the time taken for an assembly on the first lesson of the Fraternity Exercises. Admittedly, I was impatient to get to the beach, and wondered why we always have to "add things" to make an event more "CL." As usual, I could not have been more wrong for what my heart needed.

Davide, responsible of Chicago, took the time to summarize for us the main points of what all of us have been working on in School of Community this summer. Also prepared were a few witnesses to answer the question found in the text: "What signs help us understand that we have come to know Christ better?"

Mayela, through her encounters with friends in Italy for the summer realized, "Christ was asking me: Would you change everything in this moment for your idea of what your life should be?"

Aldo described a renewed desire to face the daily circumstances without fear because of Christ's face so present in a correspondence with friends that could not be explained through just intellect alone.

Marian, on her CLU pilgrimage realized that "It's only because of this companionship that I can walk for four days. It's the same in facing daily circumstances that I need this companionship. It's the only way I can take the cross."

Looking at the eclectic mix of friends under that shelter house last week--many who would only be in the Chicago area for a few days or weeks, yet decided to spend their time with us at Dunes Day--caused myself to ask the question "How is it possible?" I, too, have the same verification in front of His Presence as our friends in the assembly testified. I am in awe of this companionship--ever changing in face, yet still correspondent to my heart's longing. Being with you constantly calls me back to my truest self. I was again given awareness that I am simply a daughter (sinful, at that) asked to face what I am given with courage and trust.

Erica, Indiana, USA