After leading Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) for more than 20 years, Bauerle knows what works with young people. This year almost 50 people — including high school students and adult and young adult leaders — were on the campus of Benedictine University at Springfield from July 13-18 for CLI, which is sponsored by the Office for Vocations. The primary focus of CLI is to help participants as they strengthen a relationship with Jesus and then grow in leadership skills.
The 2014 session was led by long-time leaders Bauerle and Missy Mark, with Brian Pekovitch in charge of technology. Father Brian Alford, director of the Office for Vocations and priest secretary and master of ceremonies for Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, is a mainstay at CLI, acting as a spiritual director. He has been working with CLI since 2007, when he was still in the seminary.
This year a number of seminarians for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois assisted with the sessions as did Sister Mary George Brown and Sister M. Catherine Welter, both Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.
One of the speakers for the event was Nicole Hartwig from Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Collinsville. A CLI alum and college student, Hartwig talked about how events in her life have led her up to the present day and her time of discernment as she is seriously considering a religious vocation.
Hartwig spoke to the young people about her days at CLI and mentioned many times how what important parts both Mark and Bauerle have played in her life. “I had a prayer foundation that came from CLI,” she said. “I knew from CLI what kinds of friends I wanted to hang out with.”
About finding a vocation in life she said, “Follow whatever you think God wants you to do. His plan is greater than any of ours. So follow God, follow your heart and follow your conscience.”
Being around people with religious vocations is important, Bauerle said. So is taking part in the sacraments. For example, Father Alford was one of four priests who were on hand July 15 to hear confessions at CLI. Also there for the sacrament were Vicar General Father David Hoefler and newly-ordained priests Father Seth Brown and Father Steve Arisman.
Bauerle, who is a member of Mother of Dolars Parish, Vandalia and youth minister for Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Maryville, said that a great number of the CLI attendees were from Madison County parishes. She added that this year’s cool weather helped make the outdoor activities much more enjoyable for the teens and were a nice break from the normal hot and muggy conditions that usually accompany CLI.
CLI takes place every summer, usually during July and has been running in the diocese for over two dozen years. Each day of CLI was filled with practical leadership training, guided spiritual development and hands on exercises that help participants put their new skills to work right away. Mass and prayer are regular parts of CLI and the youth and their leaders are held to a tight schedule from early morning until late in the evening.