Under the theme "Pilgrims of Hope," CLI team members and Leadership Consultants gathered for the Annual Team Days in Cape May, NJ, from May 6–8.
"Arriving at Team Days, one of the things that was just so remarkable to me is that when I was in the presence of somebody, I felt seen and I felt like the gifts that I brought were valued and appreciated," said Karl Meier, one of CLI's newest Leadership Consultants. "I find that in the little time I have been with CLI, my journey as a pilgrim of hope has already been impacted."
The days together fostered deeper faith and fellowship among team members, offering each person present a renewed sense of purpose in the shared mission to equip leaders and ignite hope in the Church.
Highlights from the 2025 Team Days included sandcastle building, Witnesses of Hope testimonies, a walking pilgrimage to Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, a celebratory banquet marking CLI anniversaries, and the historic election of Pope Leo XIV.
"When you give others the space to expound upon the reason for their hope and how the Lord has worked in their life, it's just so powerful," says CLI Content Developer, Tim Judge. "The Lord has a unique way of touching each of our lives and calling us to this mission that we can't overlook or take for granted."
The History of Team Days
Team Days originated several years ago as an annual practice to provide Leadership Consultants with a week of training. This created essential space for connection and development. At that time, full-time staff would often join Leadership Consultants for portions of their training sessions. These early gatherings often concluded with shared meals and social experiences, offering meaningful opportunities for the whole team to connect.
As Catholic Leadership Institute expanded and transitioned to a fully remote model during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of intentional, in-person connection grew. In response, the Annual Team Days evolved for the entire team. For several years, the event was hosted at the Malvern Retreat House with a strong focus on training and personal formation. More recently, the emphasis has shifted to a retreat-like atmosphere, centered around community, prayer, and inspiration, providing time to reconnect beyond day-to-day responsibilities.
Our President & CEO Daniel Cellucci's weekly email, the DIAL: Discerning Insights About Leadership.
CLI serves Church leaders, helping them rediscover their potential and forming them to be more intentional with those they serve.
CLI helps empower and energize Catholic leaders by providing focus and courage to engage the culture with an apostolic mindset.
