CACCLC 2022 Recap

Thanks for joining us at CACCLC 2022! This year, we had 81 campers and 5 religious (priests, brothers, and sisters); 27% of our campers were attending CACCLC for the first time. We are so grateful to be able to return to the Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center for our first fully in-person camp since 2019 this year!

For those who missed it or those who want to relive the memories, here’s a recap:

DAY 1 (FRIDAY NIGHT)

Campers were welcomed at the check-in table with some cool swag: a t-shirt, camp booklet, travel pouch, stickers of this year’s theme logo and boba kit fundraiser tiger design, ear plugs, and bug repellent! We had dinner, played some icebreaker games, and went to Mass at the chapel. After Mass, some headed to bed while others stayed up to eat snacks and hang out!

Icebreakers

Icebreakers

DAY 2 (SATURDAY)

Saturday began with Br. Xavier Marie leading an optional morning prayer. Morning exercise was held inside the dining hall to keep our feet dry from the wet grass. We met our small groups and came up with team chants, followed by breakfast and introductions where this year’s ExCo sang the theme song together! After introductions, we had Talk #1 with Fr. Phil on our 2022 theme “Cross Culture”, small group discussions, a “walk-through Mass” and then lunch!

Morning Prayer

Morning stretches led by Programs!

ExCo Introductions

Talk #1 with Fr. Phil

Small Group Discussions

Small Group Discussions

Small Group Discussions

Small Group Discussions

Mass

Mass

After lunch and Talk #2, we had our fun large group activity! Our Programs team made sure to keep everyone cool by holding all the activities indoors. At the end, the teams came together to combine the puzzle pieces they earned from completing each game!

Free time came right after the large group activity. Campers played board games, swam in the pool, took naps, and although it was hot, it didn’t stop some from playing basketball before dinner!

After dinner, we had a workshop on systemic racism with Br. Mauricio! The night ended with Praise & Worship and Adoration (listen to our set list here).

Workshop

Workshop

Praise & Worship and Adoration

DAY 3 (SUNDAY)

Sunday began with optional morning prayer with Br. Mauricio and morning exercises, followed by Talk #3 and small group discussions! Unfortunately, the air conditioning in the chapel stopped working, so to keep us from sweating in the hot chapel, our Liturgy team quickly moved all the equipment and Liturgy materials over to Santa Clara Hall for Sunday Mass while campers rolled in some more chairs from Guadalupe Hall. Fr. Vien Nguyen, S.D.B. celebrated Mass for us, and the Prayers of the Faithful were read in 10 different languages by our campers!

Talk #3 with Fr. Phil

Talk #3 with Fr. Phil

Talk #3 with Fr. Phil

Mass

Mass

Mass

After Mass, we quickly took our group photo and headed to lunch! The annual conference call with WCCCLC and ECCCLC came after lunch, and instead of a video call, the three camps shared slides. It was interesting seeing the different teams, photos, and stats from each camp!

ExCo 2022

We had our last talk with Fr. Phil after the conference call, followed by a workshop with Br. Xavier Marie on humility and magnanimity. After another nice block of free time in the afternoon, a delicious dinner, and Ask Me Anything with Fr. Phil, we had Taize & Adoration (listen to our set list here) and ended with optional night prayer at St. Anthony’s.

Workshop

Workshop

Workshop

Free Time

Free Time

Walk to St. Anthony's

Walk to St. Anthony's

AMA with Fr. Phil

Taize & Adoration

Taize & Adoration

Taize & Adoration

Night Prayer

The dining hall was packed with campers staying up to write affirmation notes to each other and play board games - an annual camp tradition! A lot of ramen and snacks were eaten on this night as campers chatted and hung out.

DAY 4 (MONDAY)

Our last day began with a later breakfast and camp evaluations. We had Mass at St. Anthony’s and a quick wrap-up by Fr. Phil. Several people shared their testimony about their experiences at camp this year, and our ExCo Overall Cecilia shared some closing thoughts and awarded Isaac with a special ExCo appreciation award for going above and beyond as this year’s designer! After lunch, we all took group photos before heading home (listen to our camper playlist here).

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Our 2022 ExCo team would like to thank all of YOU campers for coming to camp this year. We hope that you had a fruitful experience and hope to see you next year - save the date for Labor Day 2023 (Sept 1-4)!!

Check out more photos of CACCLC 2022 here and here.

Stay connected with us throughout the year via our Facebook group and Instagram, and make sure to subscribe to the mailing list for our non-profit, The Living Camp!

CACCLC 2022 Workshops

Br. Mauricio E. Morales, O.S.A.

Workshop #1

#StopAsianHate:
Racist Violence and How to Be a Christian in the Face of It

Br. Mauricio E. Morales, O.S.A.

Given the disproportionate division in our communities in the US, racism has become one of the hottest topics among friends, foes, strangers, and even family members. The purpose of this workshop is to have an honest dialogue about racism in our societies and our experiences encountering such cases. Asian Americans, in particular, have encountered an increased amount of violence since the start of the pandemic. Therefore, our goal will be to see this particular side of racism, its roots, and how to confront injustices in such a way that it corresponds to the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

Friar Mauricio Morales is a member of the Augustinian Province in California. He has been in religious life for 7 years, devoted to studies in social philosophy which include political philosophy, philosophy of law, and ethics. He is currently finishing his Masters at San Diego State University. Currently, he is the Director of Social Justice for his Province and a member of the Justice & Peace Commission for the Federation of Augustinian in North America (FANA). 

Br. Morales’ academic and professional work has been centered on human rights, freedom of speech rights, and philosophical analyses of a variety of social concerns such as epistemic injustices against women and toleration within society. All these works intersect in aspects of social classes, plurality of beliefs and cultures, and ethnic groups. Working along the lines of environmental and social justice has given Br. Morales the opportunity to work alongside others with different beliefs and backgrounds in order to promote and bring about awareness on social injustices and environmental work.

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Br. Xavier Marie Wu, O.P.

Workshop #2

Humble Sublimity! Sublime Humility! Behold the Face of God

Br. Xavier Marie Wu, O.P.

Our Lord said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Yet, why does he also command us to "be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect," to be "the light of the world" and "salt of the earth?" How can we become a child of God while striving toward great things? In this workshop, to address these questions, we will discuss the virtues of humility and magnanimity in view of the end for which we are all called, i.e., to behold the face of God. We will also explore how this spiritual vision should transform us and give us the grace to navigate a turbulent world full of clashing expectations. 

Brother Xavier Marie Wu was born and raised in Beijing, China. At the age of 15, he became an exchange student in Laredo, TX, where he was received into the Catholic Church. In college, he studied Biomedical Engineering at UC Berkeley. In 2019, three months after his graduation, he entered the Dominican Order and received the habit. This will be the fourth year of his formation and God willing, he’s four years away from priestly ordination.

Introducing Our CACCLC 2022 Theme

We are so excited to announce our 2022 theme: Cross Culture — 跨文化的認知!

Design by Isaac Liu

This year’s theme is one that I hope will resonate with each of us, no matter where we are in life or in our journey with God. As Asian Americans, there are cultural differences that we face every day. Besides being Asian American, we also have an identity as Catholics, which helps us to better understand our culture and identity. How can we remain steadfast in our faith when we are faced with struggles? How can we find a balance between our faith, culture, and identity as Asian Americans?

We will answer these questions together this Labor Day weekend, September 2-5! Register now to join us for a weekend filled with faith, fun, and friends!

God bless,
Cecilia
Your CACCLC 2022 Overall

Introducing our new nonprofit "The Living Camp"!

Dear friends and family of CACCLC,

We're excited to announce that the California Chinese Catholic Living Camp (CACCLC) has been incorporated as a nonprofit called "The Living Camp"!

What does this mean? We will still be organizing our annual living camps every Labor Day Weekend, as we have been doing for over 20 years. Taking the next step to form this nonprofit and being qualified as a 501(c)(3) organization can help our community expand beyond the annual camp with other potential events and activities such as virtual camps, conferences and talks, retreats, leadership programs, and community building.

The Living Camp serves, supports, and connects the Asian American Catholic community by providing avenues for discernment, fostering discipleship, and building fellowship. Our goal is to be financially self-sufficient, and being a nonprofit allows us to accept tax-deductible donations!

You're invited to our in-person Kickoff Party on Saturday, April 23 from 12-3pm, with locations in both NorCal and SoCal. Catch up with friends, meet past and future campers, and learn more about The Living Camp! Free food, drinks, and swag will be provided; feel free to bring your friends and family. Mark your calendars, and RSVP here: tinyurl.com/tlc-rsvp

Blessings,

Jonathan Koh, President

Damian Wang, Chief Financial Officer

Cecilia Vong, Secretary

Kelly Kao, Vice President

Melissa Kuo, Vice President

board@thelivingcamp.org

CACCLC 2021 Recap

THANKS FOR JOINING CACCLC 2021!

What’s next?

1. Submit your feedback: https://forms.gle/egxFkaFZJHF2J3mLA

2. Add your photos from camp: https://photos.app.goo.gl/AN1iFNqMmML9DnpL6 

3. (Virtual campers only) Check your email for your Teamo affirmation card; if you don’t see it, click on your name in the directory. 

4. Missed a talk/workshop? Watch the recording (check Slack #general for the password!)

Loved CACCLC and want to make it even better? Stay tuned for a volunteer interest form.

Keep in touch with the CACCLC community on Slack and Facebook, and save the dates for CACCLC 2022: September 2–5, 2022!

CACCLC 2021 Workshops

Workshop #1: Joy & The Asian American Church
Speaker: Alan Berryhill

What brings you to CACCLC and what helps us stay together? In this workshop we will explore what makes Asian American church spaces so unique and significant. Together, we are finding Jesus Christ amidst our Asian cultural heritage, grappling with the tragedy of AAPI hate, and expressing solidarity with other marginal communities.

Alan Berryhill is a longtime camper and biracial Asian American. In addition to his work as a software engineer, he recently graduated with a Master of Theological Studies from the Jesuit School of Theology. His thesis studied the role of Asian American churches in Asian American identity formation.

Workshop #2: Joy in the Unknown
Speaker: Jessica Yap

Are you frustrated with where you are in life right now? Are you wishing you would have hit certain "milestones" by now, but haven't (having a significant other, working in a certain industry, having a kid, just to name a few?) This workshop will explore what it looks like to find Joy even in life circumstances we might not have chosen for ourselves. We'll also explore potential ways to begin naming & making steps towards what you want!

Jessica was excited to learn in 2018 that there was a longstanding community of Chinese Catholics in California - she thought she was the only one! She is a mixed Asian gal - Filipino & Chinese (Malaysian). Having studied Earth Science and spent 3 years in full time ministry at Brown & Columbia, she is now selling irrigation parts. Lol. She doesn't know where life is taking her right now, but one day hopes to build gardens, especially for families of color. By providing opportunities to abundantly rest in gardens, she hopes to help people heal from exhaustion, overwork, and restless anxiety.

Workshop #3: Joy in All the Ways God Made You
Speaker: Michael Tarui

Our entire lives are a gift. That includes all aspects of you. But in this world, we often find ourselves shying away from claiming, exploring, and developing certain parts of who God made us to be. In this workshop, we will be exploring certain areas of identity Asian Catholics may feel trepidation towards, particularly in regards to race, gender, and sexuality. We won't be going at it alone! We'll be looking to our older brothers and sisters for inspiration - the Asian Saints - and hope Campers continue to develop friendships with them even after this weekend!

Michael is a queer Catholic currently studying theology at St. Joseph’s College of Maine. He aspires to become a teacher and to do ministry with those in need. He has a history in activism, leading projects to promote justice for Asian Americans, queer people, and other marginalized communities. He is Filipino & Japanese, and has written for Grotto, an online Catholic publication that aims to be a "space to recharge."

COVID Safety for CACCLC 2021 In-person Track

Dear campers,

We can’t believe that camp is just 3 weeks away! We are working diligently to ensure the health and safety of all campers during Labor Day weekend.

We would like you to rest assured that we have been monitoring the COVID situation as it develops. We are following Vallombrosa, San Mateo County guidelines, and CDC guidelines, in addition to keeping our eyes, ears, and hearts open to suggestions or concerns from ExCo members and campers. Please keep in mind that camp structure and programming will be fluid as COVID guidelines may change from now until camp weekend, and we will continue to offer refunds for anyone who may decide to switch from in-person to the virtual track.

As an update, we are now requiring all in-person campers to submit proof of vaccination. Please email your COVID vaccination records to exco@cacclc.org by Wednesday, August 25th. We also highly recommend a negative COVID test result emailed to exco@cacclc.org within 72 hours of arrival.

Safety Measures

Campers will be turned away from camp at check-in if they:

• Cannot provide a COVID vaccination record

  • Please email your COVID vaccination records to exco@cacclc.org by Wednesday, August 25th. We also highly recommend a negative COVID test result emailed to exco@cacclc.org within 72 hours of arrival.

• Have any COVID symptoms 

• Have been exposed to COVID within the last 2 weeks

• Have tested positive for COVID within the last 2 weeks

COVID Safety Rules for camp:

• Transparency is key. If you are symptomatic or test positive for COVID, please let ExCo know ASAP.

• Wear a face mask over your nose and mouth at all times when indoors. 

• Sanitize your hands frequently and clean any surfaces with the sanitizing wipes provided. 

• Maintain social distance to the best of your ability. 

• Spend more time outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces when gathering in a group. 

• Consume snacks and meals outdoors as much as possible.

In-Person Track COVID safety modifications (as of 08/15/2021):

• Limitation to only fully vaccinated campers for in-person track

  • Refund of registration fee difference for those wishing to switch from in-person to virtual track

  • Refund of registration fee for those who choose to cancel registration altogether

• Reduction of maximum capacity indoors

• Provision of multiple outdoor viewing/streaming and outdoor dining areas

• Use of air purifiers and medical-grade masks indoors 

• Implementation of daily AM screenings according to CDC COVID symptom guidelines

If you experience symptoms or test positive for COVID...

• Prior to camp: quarantine at home and you can switch to virtual track. Camp fees will be refunded.

• During camp: you will be asked to go home for quarantine. You can switch to virtual track and you will be refunded the camp fee difference.

• After camp: please notify ExCo ASAP by emailing exco@cacclc.org so we can help initiate contact tracing.

Your health, safety, and wellbeing comes first. We continue to pray for a safe and fruitful camp experience for everyone!

Meet our 2021 Speakers

Fr. Joe Kim

Fr. Joe Kim was born in Poughkeepsie, New York but grew up in San Jose, attending grammar school at St. Frances Cabrini and Saratoga High School. He credits his paternal grandmother and his parents for initial evangelization and early discipleship at St Francis Cabrini and the Korean Catholic Church in San Jose. He credits his peers at the Newman Center at UC Berkeley for deepening his love for the Lord and the Church. Upon graduation from the College of Engineering at CAL, Fr Joe worked as a product engineer in Sunnyvale.

Fr. Joe credits the young adult Korean Catholic Community and the witness of St. John Paul II for challenging him to act on the call of God. He discerned the priesthood in the vibrant, Catholic young adult community in the Priestly Discernment Program at Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH. He grew further in the vocation to priesthood at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park during which he spent his pastoral year at St John Vianney in 2007. Fr Joe was ordained in 2010 as a priest for the Diocese of San Jose by Bishop Patrick J. McGrath. Fr Joe comes to St. John Vianney after serving in parishes as a Parochial Vicar and Diocesan Vocations Director. 

He has a License in Sacred Theology from the New Evangelization Program at Sacred Heart in Detroit, MI. He is working on completing a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. His vocation, his ministry and his studies are rooted in the desire to live joyfully as a beloved son of God in the Lord Jesus Christ and help others to be the same.

Jean Young

Jean is a Catholic wife, mother, corporate professional, and transformational coach. She currently resides in Los Angeles but she grew up in the Bay Area where she was a part of the San Jose Chinese Catholic Community at St Clare’s Church. She attended Notre Dame High School in San Jose and graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a business degree.

She has spent the last 20 years as a corporate Finance & HR professional for companies like Sun Microsystems, The Clorox Company, and Panda Restaurant Group. She recently got certified as a transformational life coach as she is passionate about working with people. She loves helping people connect more deeply to themselves, to others, and to God.

She also served as a catechist at Our Lady of Peace Church, St Clare’s Parish, and St Isidore’s Church. She taught 2nd grade through high school and prepared students for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. She also volunteered at Mother Teresa’s orphanages in Haiti and Peru.

One of her greatest joys in life is being a mother to her daughters, Chiara and Christiana.

CACCLC 2019 Recap

Thanks for joining us at CACCLC 2019! This year, we had 87 campers and 3 religious (priests and seminarians); 28% of our campers were attending CACCLC for the first time.

For those who missed it or those who want to relive the memories, here are a few highlights in pictures:

Morning stretches!

Mass with Fr. Timothy

This year, we had the first ever CACCLC Networking event, where campers could connect to local young adult groups and bible studies, and connect based on other interests like volunteering and dragon boat. It was a great success, with many campers meeting new friends and group members!

Fr. Timothy gave insightful talks on our 2019 theme “Living Hope”: "Hope Includes Your Past", “Hope Includes Your Present”, and “Hope Includes Your Future”.

Our Large Group Activity this year was a relay race including Steal The Bacon, Rubber Duck Lasso, Know Your ExCo, Bible Trivia Poster, and a Pillow Sack Relay. Winning teams were awarded extra water balloons and water guns for an epic water balloon fight!

During the following free time, campers played basketball and spikeball, took a hike to check out the trail, swam in the pool, and took a nap to recharge.

Campers enjoyed many delicious meals, thanks to the kitchen staff!

For our workshops this year, we had a Social Justice workshop by Lily Sin, and a Mental Health workshop by Jessica Chow. Lily challenged campers to do an “Act of Hope” after camp, and Jessica taught us about the scientific side of anxiety and depression, and how to support our friends struggling with mental health.

Fr. Timothy answered campers’ anonymous questions during “Office Hours with Fr. Tim”.

At night, campers played board games, sang and jammed to music, and wrote affirmation notes to each other.

Fr. Timothy brought water from Lourdes (a pilgrimage site in France known for Marian apparitions and miraculous healings) in spray bottles and said a healing prayer for all the campers. What a blessed way to end camp!

Special thanks to our photographer Genesia for the beautiful photos featured in this post. Check out more photos of CACCLC 2019 here and here.

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As the 2019 ExCo team, we want to thank all of YOU campers for coming to camp this year. We hope that you all had a fruitful experience and hope to see you next year — save the date for Labor Day 2020 (Sep 4–7)!

We keep in touch via our Facebook group so be sure to join the group for all the latest announcements! Now let’s be Living Hope in the world!