History

A Brief Overview of ECCCLC

The Eastern Canada Chinese Catholic Community (ECCC) Conference was found by a group of young Chinese Catholics from Toronto and Windsor, with the help of Rev. Bob Seguin, near the end of 1977. The intention was to give young Chinese Catholics especially students, here in the part of Canada, an opportunity of get together for fellowship and spiritual growth. Since 1991, ECCCLC objectives are to enrich Christian faith through dialectic and spiritual sharing, Christian community life and Chinese culture.

"Dialectic and spiritual sharing" promotes spiritual growth. "Christian community" brings both Christian and non-Christian closer to God's love and truth. Chinese culture" reflects the nature of the camp. It reminds everyone of us that we belong to the Chinese faith communities. It is through these essences that we live out our Christian faith.

In 1983, the ECCC Conference Committee decided to change the name from "Summer Conference" to "Living Camp", which reflects the livelier nature of the event in professing our faith as compared to a retreat.

The first ECCC Conference was held at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. It was extremely successful and brought tremendous encouragement to young Catholics. It was then decided that the Conference should be run every year. Since then, participants have come from many areas, including Waterloo, London, Kingston, Guelph, Greater Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, taking turns to share the administrative responsibilities.

The most encouraging fact is that many Chinese parishioners from North America also joined as speakers at the Living Camp. At the Living Camp, many young adults share their feelings in learning from the apostles and participate in various spiritual activities. Activities include inspiring Bible studies and discussion, heart-warming singspiration and fellowship hours, prayer time and the celebration of the Eucharist, as well as games and recreational programs.

In the course of ECCCLC history, the organizing committee plays an important role in developing this event. With the suggestion and support of Fr. Thomas Au, he proposed that one planning committee is to be formed by people joining voluntarily from around the communities. Those who take up the role of coordination would form the Organizing Committee. Those who are responsible to execute program would become members of the Working Team.

Moreover, beginning from 1991, the 15th ECCCLC, there was Reunion held after each Living Camp. There was also ECCCLC Night held after the 16th ECCCLC to introduce the Living Camp to more young adults so that more of them can share in it.

The spirit of ECCCLC began to spread to the West Coast and Bay Area during the late 1990s. The first WCCCLC was held in 1997, mainly organized by a group of young adult in Vancouver. Following that was the first BACCLC, which was held in the summer of 1998 with Fr. Denis Kong as the speaker of this event. As the spirit continued to grow, all three living camps were held every year during Labor Day long weekend in North America.

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