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Facilitator Training

Training and Enrichment Opportunities for Spring 09 are coming up!

Facilitator Enrichment Sessions

St. John the Baptist, Jefferson - Tuesday Feb. 3, 6:30 - 8:00pm

Blessed Sacrament, Madison - Monday Feb. 9, 6:30 - 8:00pm

To register, please contact Grace Simon at gsimon@evangelicalcatholic.org or 608-213-5017. Please include number of people, your name, your phone number, and your email address. If less than 10 people register, you will be notified of cancelation. Thank you!

Facilitator Enrichment Sessions
These sessions will be geared towards further equipping in Catholic evangelization teachings and practices. They will provide practical tools as well as vision and inspiration to keep your ministry growing! Both new and returning facilitators are welcome.

Training Sessions for New Facilitators
Training sessions provide new facilitators with the tools they need to effectively lead a small groups, facilitate a Spirit-led discussion, and accompany small group members along a deeper journey with God.

For more information about upcoming training, call Grace Simon at 608-258-3140 ext.111 or email at gsimon@evangelicalcatholic.org.

Connections Materials

LENT 2009 Materials List

Connection to Christ

Connection to the Cross: A Lenten Journey - Year A

Connection to St. Paul: Teacher. Apostle. Herald.

Important Links

Connection to Christ - Facilitator Notes

CONNECTIONS brochure - Fall 08

Pre-Launch Packet

The Evangelical Catholic

Getting Involved

If you are interested in starting a CONNECTIONS small group or bringing CONNECTIONS to your parish, please contact Grace Simon, diocesan coordinator for CONNECTIONS, at 608-258-3140 ext.111 or gsimon@
evangelicalcatholic.org.

To Pastors and Parish Staff - How You Can Help
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis needs your help in getting the word out to adult parishioners who might want to participate in CONNECTIONS. We are happy to call and personally invite parishioners you recommend to the training sessions. Please contact us with these recommendations. In addition, we can come and briefly announce this program at your parish Masses and/or send you brochures for your parishioners and blurbs for your parish bulletin. Thank you for all you do bring forth the reign of God! Contact Grace Simon at 608-258-3140 ext.111 or gsimon@
evangelicalcatholic.org.

July 02, 2009

Introduction to Connections

Making Vital CONNECTIONS

Through Small Group Faith Sharing

The OEC is proud to continue CONNECTIONS, an initiative to foster small groups in the Diocese of Madison. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them" (Mt 18:20). He knew that from the very beginning, gathering together to share their faith in him would be an essential part of the Church's life. Small groups allow parishioners to discuss the faith with others and speak of our experience of God in our daily lives.

"Gathering together to discuss the upcoming readings really helped me to gain a better understanding of Mass and appreciate the liturgy on Sundays." ~ CONNECTIONS participant during Lent 08

More than one thousand Catholics have experienced firsthand the powerful presence of Christ as they gathered for prayer, discussion and reflection through a CONNECTIONS small group series. Small group studies help participants strengthen their relationship with Christ, who is is the foundation of our lives, and also with one another as we grow in holiness together.

Commit to the adventure of following Christ more deeply by joining a CONNECTIONS small group today. You'll be glad you did!

Timeline for Spring 2009:

FOCUSED ADVERTISEMENT: Sundays, Feb. 8, 15, and 22 - Facilitators, schedule a 2-minute small group witness talk after Mass on one of those Sundays. Repeat at all Masses, and have a Connections table in the gathering space for sign-ups. Facilitators invite and follow up with participants.

FIRST SMALL GROUP MEETING of 7-week series: week of Feb. 22 (Ash Wed. is Feb. 25). Small groups will meet weekly and end the week of April 5.

A new Connection to the Cross book for Year B is in progress and will be available in time for Lent!
TO ORDER MATERIALS, please contact Katelin Cummins at kcummins@evangelicalcatholic.org or 608-213-7836.

What is CONNECTIONS?

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin noted that the anonymity prevalent in U.S. parishes makes effective evangelization difficult. He suggested restructuring the parish as a community of communities in which Catholics gather to pray, read Scripture, share, and experience authentic community. Cardinal Bernardin said, "Authentic community is vital to effective evangelization. It nurtures believers. If Catholics experience community on a smaller scale, they may form and experience more of a community when they gather for parish liturgies on the weekends."

CONNECTIONS seeks to build up the Church as a "community of communities" where Catholics are known, loved, supported, and propelled into mission. Yet launching healthy small groups that become authentic communities takes time and effort. Preparing facilitators, choosing materials, and providing ongoing support for the leaders is essential for a healthy small group program. The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is sponsoring a Small Group initiative called CONNECTIONS and has contracted The Evangelical Catholic to carry out this ministry. CONNECTIONS provides support to parishes wanting to form these authentic communities.

CONNECTIONS Small Groups are led by adults (parishioners or parish staff) of all ages. Groups will meet weekly beginning mid October and ending before Thanksgiving. Solid small group materials designed to help people make this connection to Christ will be recommended (and in some cases, provided free!) Small Group facilitators have multiple opportunities to receive initial and ongoing training before the small groups begin in October and throughout this Fall. Materials and training sessions for facilitators are geared towards renewing Catholics' connection to Christ and the Church and reaching out to those who have not yet had that personal encounter with Christ.

What They're Saying about CONNECTIONS

"I thought the Connection to the Cross booklet was fantastic. The questions were great and led to meaningful discussions. I loved how the materials integrated solid Catholic teaching and traditions into the lessons. The Examination of Conscience and invitation to the Sacrament of Reconciliation were beautiful."

"Marvelous readings and selection of themes!"

"The sacrament of Reconciliation was a 'high' during our Lenten journey. Our whole group participated and shared how the sacrament had touched them and changed them like never before. The celebration of the Eucharist has become more meaningful, helping us to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread each week!"

"CONNECTIONS has helped me to be aware of my own shortcomings and more aware of Jesus' strength. It has also given me a greater desire to share Jesus with others."

"The spirit of sharing and participation from the group - these were the most meaningful experiences for me as a CONNECTIONS facilitator. If I ever doubted whether it was worth my time and effort, I would be bouyed up by their enthusiasm. I learned so much just by preparing for the meetings!"

"I think many folks weren't exactly sure what CONNECTIONS was about, what the format would be, etc. Yet the beauty of the small group is that it does get us talking as a faith community about faith matters. As the morning went on, I could see the faces of people 'lightening', smiles began appearing. We left at 11:30 with our feet and hearts dancing, ready to move into the world strengthened by Christ - all because of 90 minutes of prayer, shared conversation, reflection and the love and goodness of God!"

"Our parish experience with CONNECTIONS small Christian communities is that it is church at its best. Our small groups nurtured caring, trust and intimacy so that faith was deepened and supported. Our discussions opened up new and deeper ways of exploring faith because of the trust that developed. We found the communities to be places of healing and friendship, safety and challenge, growth and nurture."

"I am grateful to the EC for producing the CONNECTIONS series. As Director of Student Ministries at a college ministry, I am often in search of solid materials that draw people into an authentic relationship with Christ in communion with the Church. This past semester we used Connection to Christ for the first six weeks of several of our student-led small group Bible studies, and we also took the small group leaders through the study in preparation for leading their own groups. The results have been tremendously positive. Both leaders and participants of the CONNECTIONS groups have enjoyed the materials and grown significantly in their faith. CONNECTIONS grounds Catholics in the basics of the faith, while drawing them to more deeply encounter the living God. College students (and all adults) need a that delicate mix of solid teaching that is so beautifully upheld in the Tradition of the Church, together with a dynamic, communal experience of the living Christ who originated and continues to animate the Church; in short, we need both content and community."

"Our group is very diverse in the sense of age, married, single, children, no children, college students, working moms, stay at home moms, nice balance of men and women and a variety of different journeys within the catholic church. And, its a blessing that they feel like they can share their experince of God and it counts for something."

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Facilitator Tools: Responding to Challenges

Facilitator: "Closing a specific discussion and moving to the next topic for the lesson was a challenge for me."

Response: When good discussion gets going, it's hard to stop! Facilitators are then faced with the harrowing decision: do I interrupt the discussion to move things along, or do I let the conversation go and risk not getting through the entire study? A couple things to keep in mind: no matter how inspired the discussion, you'll want to leave enough time for two things - the "Connecting to Christ This Week" section, and closing prayer. It is important that you talk with your participants about the Scripture meditations and assignments for the upcoming week. A crucial part of the CONNECTIONS process is instilling daily "habits" of discipleship that will help maintain that vital connection with Christ. And prayer offers an appropriate close to the evening, provides an opportunity for personal prayer (for yourself and others) and often is a time of special intimacy for the community. Beyond that, follow the movement of the Holy Spirit as discussion evolves. If you sense things need to move on, don't be afraid to say, "This is great discussion! Maybe we can take this up again during the social hour. Let's move on to the next question/subject so we can be sure not to miss any important sections."

Facilitator: "One individual is so on fire that it becomes a problem. This person talks too much and tends to preach instead of share."

Response: A Dominating Darryl! I'm sure every facilitator has faced one. These individuals mean well. They have so much to share and are excited to have such an attentive and caring group. However, the facilitator must ensure that every participant has an opportunity to share and feels comfortable to do so. Some of the more subtle methods might be "Now we've heard from Darryl, does anyone else have something to add?" or "Now I'm going to ask Darryl to hold off to make sure everybody else gets a chance at it. . ." If those don't work, you may want to have a private discussion with Darryl and explain to him the importance of group sharing. Thank him for his sharing and affirm him appropriately for his insights. Invite him to help you to be sensitive to all members and try to draw more discussion from the more quiet types. Give him a facilitator's view of group dynamics. His ownership of a more communal view might help him see the bigger picture.

Facilitator: "I ran out of time."

Response: The Connection to Christ series is packed with information! While some less talkative groups are fine, others are having a hard time getting all the way through the material. Don't fret. Follow the dictates of the Holy Spirit as you guide discussion. If you feel the conversation is important, let it evolve naturally until you feel it necessary to move on. However, as mentioned in an above response, be sure to leave time for the "Connecting to Christ This Week" section and closing prayer.

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