Forming Small Christian Communities in the Parish for Missionary Discipleship Sr. Donna L. Ciangio, OP Gather, Accompany, and Send 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 2 Joy of the Gospel The Church will have to initiate everyone The momigami works of Sadao Watanabe 1969-1970 priests, religious and laity into this art of accompaniment which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other. Evangelii Gaudium, 169 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 3 1
Spiritual Accompaniment must lead others ever closer to God to accompany them would be counterproductive if it became a sort of therapy supporting their self-absorption and ceased to be a pilgrimage with Christ to the Father. The Joy of the Gospel, 170 Jesus warmed the hearts of the disciples of Emmaus. Didn t our hearts BURN within us as he spoke to us on the road! 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 5 They recognized him in the breaking of the bread. Emmaus Fr. John Giuliani American, 1932 ) 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 6 2
We need a church capable of walking at people's side, of doing more than simply listening to them; a church that accompanies them on their journey; a church able to make sense of the "night" contained in the flight of so many of our brothers and sisters from Jerusalem; a church that realizes that the reasons why people leave also contain reasons why they can eventually return. But we need to know how to interpret, with courage, the larger picture. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 7 Accompaniment As Pope Francis intends it, accompaniment and a culture of encounter presume that both parties to the accompaniment have something to learn, from each other but also from God who speaks to us in groups, not just as individuals. Supper at Emmaus by Maximino Cerezo Barredo NCR March 10, 2017 2018 Donna L. Ciangio by Michael Sean Winters 8 For Francis being Catholic is first and foremost about membership in a communion of persons who have had an experience of God active in their lives, an encounter with the risen Lord. Supper at Emmaus Maximino Cerezo Barredo (Spanish, 1932 ),. Pastors need to start there, with the fact that the people they encounter already have an experience of God active in their lives. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 9 3
The path ahead, then, is dialogue among yourselves, dialogue in your presbyterates, dialogue with lay persons, dialogue with families, dialogue with society. I cannot ever tire of encouraging you to dialogue fearlessly. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 10 Pope Francis 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 11 It is essentially the parish which gives the Church concrete life, so that she may be open to all. Whatever its size, it is not merely an association. It must be a home where the members of the Body of Christ gather together, are open to meeting God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and accept their brothers and sisters with fraternal love, whatever their condition or origins. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 12 4
The parish institution is meant to provide the Church s great services: Prayer in common The reading of God s Word Celebrations, especially that of the Eucharist Catechesis for children The Adult Catechumenate The ongoing formation of the faithful, communication designed to make the Christian message known Services of charity and solidarity 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 13 A community where God s gifts are received and shared. Where the baptized generously make their response of faith, hope and love to the call of the Gospel. John Paul II 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 14 Parish All that we do must be INTENTIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT for people on their journey of LIFE and FAITH 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 15 5
Parishes grow only when people are welcomed, heard, pope says NCR May 15, 2018 Calling for a "revolution of tenderness" in parishes and the diocese, Francis said that while "guiding a Christian community is the specific task of the ordained minister the pastor pastoral care is based in baptism and blossoms from brotherhood and is not the task only of the pastor and priests, but of all the baptized." 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 16 Small Christian Communities What do they offer to accompany people? 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 17 Small Christian Communities What is your experience with SCCs and/or RCIA in your parish? 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 18 6
The Power of Small Christian Communities How was our church formed, sustained, nurtured and grown? 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 19 Where two or three are gathered in my name, I shall be there with them... Matthew 18:20 The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; No one claimed anything for his/her own use None of the members was in want They remained faithful to the breaking of the bread and the prayers The many miracles and signs made a deep impression on them They went to the temple everyday Acts 2:42-47 & 4:32-35 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 20 The Primary Goal for why we come together to strive for a deepened relationship with God and a better understanding of the mission we share as Disciples of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the Good News to all people. Missionary Disciples 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 21 7
Generally: Who: What: Small Faith Communities 8-12 People 1 to 1 ½ hour session Read and discuss Scripture Apply it to life and serve others Pray together When: Weekly for 6 weeks Weekly for the year Bi-weekly Monthly 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 22 Types of Small Communities 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 23 Primary Secondary Small Community: A Hybrid Family, Friends Group with a purpose Small Community Support of Family & Friends Commitment Mission/Action 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 24 8
Types of Small Communities Seasonal Groups Ministry Communities Small Christian Communities Family Communities Designer Communities Drawing by Pam Keating 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 25 Seasonal Groups Purpose: Spiritual Growth Challenge: To deepen faith through prayer, support, reflection, learning, participation, mission To grow beyond the comfort level to deeper spirituality, connected to daily life 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 26 In the parish: 1. Timing: Lent October November Or Advent 2. Parish Organization: Core Team with support from Parish Pastoral Council Other ministries & organizations 3. Invitation: Sign Up Weekend Telephone/email/ website/other Home Visit 4. Publicity: Small Groups Pastor & Staff At Mass Website/email/ Invitation Speakers at Mass 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 27 9
Highland Park United Methodist Church http://www.hpumc.org/small-groups/ 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 28 SCC Meeting Format Ice Breaker Prayer (Action from last meeting) Reflection Life Experience Scripture/other Commentary Questions: Observe, Judge, Act Action Prayer 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 29 Observe/See Prayerful and Powerful Reflection Method Uncover facts Focus on the reality of the situation Observe what is going on around you 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 30 10
Judge (Discernment) Reflection and sharing Based on Gospel wisdom What would Jesus think/do? My story - the larger story Why? May initiate research What can we do: to change situation or attitudes, etc. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 31 Act Specific actions flowing from prayer, reflection, and life experience Individual or group Practical, concrete, within reason Discuss actions at the next meeting based on Cardinal Joseph Cardijn s method 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 32 Ministry Communities Purpose: To foster a deeper understanding of the call of each person to minister as a disciple of Jesus To do effective ministry in the parish To keep aware of the ministry needs in the parish I was made a servant of the Gospel by God s special gift. Ephesians 3:7 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 33 11
Small Christian Communities Purpose: Community that desires the Gospel to transform all areas of their lives Term: No time limit but a commitment to regular meetings, often weekly 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 34 Small Christian Communities Challenge: To be wholehearted in commitments To continually grow as community To be faithful to the elements of prayer, support reflection, learning, participation, mission To be open to new members or ministry to other groups; e.g., those in the Catechumenate, facilitating another group, etc. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 35 Family Communities Dinner table sharing & prayer Read scripture and discuss Seasonal and Ordinary Time Each family member can create his/her own special prayers for all to pray together Go to church together share about it Get involved in a ministry or a school or parish project as a family Be Creative! make it fun, special, reverential 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 36 12
Designer Communities Book Clubs Young Adult Groups Other 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 37 Essential Elements Mission Participation/ Engagement Prayer Support Reflection Learning 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 38 Adult Faith Formation Goals 1. Invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus and holiness of life The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; They remained faithful to the breaking of the bread and the prayers 2. Promote and support active membership in the Christian Community The many miracles and signs made a deep impression on them They went to the temple everyday 3. Prepare adults to act as disciples in mission to the world No one claimed anything for his/her own use None of the members was in want Forming A Community of Faith by Jane Reagan 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 39 13
Adult Faith Formation Goals 1. Invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus and holiness of life Conversion Gather and Accompany 2. Promote and support active membership in the Christian Community Accompany Membership 3. Prepare adults to act as disciples in mission to the world Forming A Community Send Discipleship of Faith by Jane Reagan 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 40 The General Directory for Catechesis Adults must have the pre-eminent place in the catechetical mission of parishes. One way to meet the needs of adults that has been effective in parishes around the world is Small Christian Communities. As a way for people to be Church for one another. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 41 What does a small group do to ACCOMPANY? God leads us on a journey of faith We need others to support us along the way The Mission of Christ and the Church is furthered through the community of disciples A church doesn t have a mission, a mission has a church! Faith sharing is reflection on Scripture, Church tradition, Church teaching, pastoral documents, current concerns, issues and situations - both in the religious and civil arenas. What and how we believe How we live out our faith Concrete action to help, improve or change a situation 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 42 14
Faith reflection should lead to action: Observe/See, Judge, Act Private Communal Public Faith sharing is a form of prayer Groups and members are connected to the parish and the whole Church Forming the Parish as a School of Discipleship 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 43 All Parish Groups, Organizations, Societies, and Meetings Can use the small community style 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 44 Developing a STYLE of Parish Life Connecting faith reflection and community building to all areas: Staff PPC and Finance Council Meetings Ministerial Gatherings Formation Organizations Families Youth Work Community involvement Drawing by Pam Keating 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 45 15
Moving from Faith Reflection GROUP to COMMUNITY Making Faith Life connections Experience of God Personally Through the insights of others Learning Acting on belief This group makes a difference in my life Parish Life Studies show that Small Christian Communities yield long-term benefits. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 47 Parishioners are: more interested in on-going catechesis; pursue Scripture study and take seriously the call to discipleship. more likely to assume parish responsibilities, leadership, and be involved in a ministry. more involved in evangelization and outreach. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 48 16
Gathered and Sent 10/26/2018 Small Communities are not another Parish Activity but a way of strengthening and accompanying people to be committed as Disciples of Jesus Christ 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 49 Pope Francis "Our parishes, must be capable of generating a people, that is, of offering and creating relationships where people feel that they are known, recognized, welcomed, listened to, loved in other words, not anonymous parts of a whole. SCCs and SCC Style of Parish life offer this 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 50 2018 Donna L. Ciangio 51 17
Disciples Accompany We become missionary disciples when we make a decision to put others first, to share our experience of the mercy and love of God with others. We do this in simple ways, over time. We share our stories. We share ourselves. 2018 Donna L. Ciangio Matthew W. Halbach, PhD 52 What are the ways that you accompany others? How can SCCs help? The Road to Emmaus 2018 Donna L. Ciangio by Sr. Marie-Paul Farran 53 18