Support from the Parish Community
Small Faith Communities
One of the best practices among Catholic parishes involved in discipleship formation is to encourage the strong tradition of small faith groups to help build up the life of the parish and support the family as “the privileged place for transmitting the faith.” A growing disciple will deeply benefit from a space to be known, loved and cared for as he or she deepens their friendship with Jesus and other disciples.
Some parishes have developed “Connect Groups” or “Grow Groups”, uniting one or more existing small faith communities or after-Alpha groups by age, interest, or location, to continue strengthening themselves along their journey in groups of 10 to 20 people. These groups are hosted either at the parish or at homes, and their leaders are invited to assume a deliberate role of pastoral care, serving and guiding the group. Parishes seem to become smaller with strong groups offering a new dimension of pastoral care.
For consultation in operation and details contact Monica Oppermann.
Our ‘new normal’ in terms of connectedness, engagement, and outreach just might
need to look like a ‘very old normal’.
Pastoral Plan
SUGGESTED SESSION STRUCTURE
First up
Followed by
Then a
Closing with
SUGGESTED CONTENT
The possibilities of resources and content to use in the connect groups is immense. Some parishes have selected materials suitable to continue deepening the disciple’s Encounter and experience of the Holy Spirit through programs like Wild Goose, or New Leaven.
At a later stage, the Connect groups can opt to follow any of the parish based Formed series, Word on Fire, Ascension Press, etc.
