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OUR HISTORY:
Back in the early 1970s, the Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Portland decided that Christian Formation Centers
were an important part of reaching out to Catholics within the Diocese. At that time, the only Center in operation was the
St. Paul Center in Augusta.
The Christian Life Center opened in October of 1973 in Caribou at the former site
of the Holy Rosary school. The CLC was used to kindle the Spirit within the hearts of High School Youth.
In 1980,
Fr. George Adams, third director of the CLC, saw the need to expand programming to younger and older populations than had
been previously served by the CLC. He also dealt with the reality that the building they were using was in dire need of repair.
In order to accommodate the changes he envisioned, Fr. George began looking for a newer facility. The Sisters of Our Lady
of the Holy Rosary were interested in selling their convent in Upper Frenchville. Bishop Edward O’Leary approved of
the move and in late September 1980, the Christian Life Center opened in Upper Frenchville, ME.
Programs in the
early days of the CLC in Frenchville included retreats for school-aged children from 5th through 12th grade, Cursillo (which
began in 1981), Engaged Encounters and Marriage preparation, Retorno (weekend for couples), and Days of Recollection.
The programming at the CLC has continued to grow and has ministered to many people throughout the St. John Valley. Each
year, over 700 people take advantage of retreats offered at the CLC. Prayerful consideration is given to adding retreats to
reach those whose needs have not been met each year. Programs currently offered include: Marriage prep (2 times per year),
Cursillo weekends (4 times per year), Life in the Spirit Retreats, Evenings of Hope & Healing, Charismatic retreats, Knights
of Columbus weekend, Catholic Women’s retreats, retreats for parish council members, eucharistic ministers, lectors,
and youth from Kindergarten through high school. In an attempt to make retreats available to those throughout Aroostook
County, staff members ar available to travel to Houlton, Caribou, Presque Isle and Van Buren to offer retreats in those communities.
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