Connect Groups -- Do Catholic parishes do this?

[Jerusha]

If I were a pastor of a large Catholic parish, I would try to identify 12 or so “apostle” types, eat with them often and offer guidance, some spiritual teaching, and get them to build a mutual support group, for a year… As time goes on there might be more cell groups, the families would get to know at least a few other families very well.

This is happening in my parish. I am participating in the second year level. It seems to be doing well. I do notice a problem with meeting in homes-- comparing socioeconomic levels, etc.

I participated in one maybe seventeen years ago. Some strange things happened. I think interference from outside.

 

[Tommy999]

Hi Tommy

I know about the cell group you’ve mentioned. My mom is in the cell group (she’s Pentecostal) and she’s a lay member.

I know a Catholic Church near by my place that has a lot of activities such as the alpha course, rosary group, general meeting for Q&A, picnick, Bible study, they even provided rooms to rent for Catholic students who want to study in that city.

Thanks for the reply, Vanez. Sounds like there are a variety of ways for people to “plug in” and meet others at church and find their niche if they really want to.

 

[Tommy999]

This is happening in my parish. I am participating in the second year level. It seems to be doing well. I do notice a problem with meeting in homes-- comparing socioeconomic levels, etc.

I participated in one maybe seventeen years ago. Some strange things happened. I think interference from outside.

I also prefer to meet in a room at church as opposed to someone’s home.

I may be wrong but I think it is only human nature for the host to be more concerned with making their home presentable and focusing on the duties of the host as opposed to focusing on the main purpose of the gathering. Also, it might be easier to become distracted in someone’s home than at a church facility (not for everyone, but for some).

If the group meets in a room at the parish church, those kind of distractions are kept to a minimum, I would think.

In our Connect Groups, there are some folks who apparently have the gift of hospitality and service and feel comfortable opening up their homes for such get-togethers. Lord bless them because I must admit I am not like that.

 

[TimothyH]

Good one, Tim.

I assume your answer was either in jest or implies that you belong to a congregation that is either small or static enough so that there is no need for such groups, such as a parish in which everyone is Catholic from birth and most likely grew up together and know each other already.

What if someone is new to the congregation – let’s say they moved from somewhere else and don’t know anyone yet or are new to the Catholic faith entirely?

Is there any provision made for them to become integrated into the local body of believers?

Just curious how local Catholic parishes deal with this issue.

Blessings,
Tommy

All Catholics share the common bond of being adopted sons of the Father. 1.3 Billion Catholics worldwide are all integrated into the body of believers by their baptism. The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Unity. That unity is more real than anything on earth.

My parish has ten thousand members. We have various ministries that people get involved in, Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes, sacristans, choir, readers, church dinners, faith formation and Bible study classes, retreats, spiritual talks, etc.

No, we don’t have “Journey groups” or “Small groups” like many of the Evangelical Churches. We do things the old fashioned way, by walking up to someone and saying hello. We are quite good at it. The fact that we gather to worship every day and not just once each week really helps.

-Tim-

 

[asd72]

What sort of things do you do in your connect groups Tommy999?

We have a youth group and an over 55 years group. Being in my 40’s and single, I would like there to be a social group for the middle aged. We have monthly morning teas after Mass which I should make more effort to get along to.

We have weekly bible study which is fantastic.

 

[Tommy999]

What sort of things do you do in your connect groups Tommy999?

We have a youth group and an over 55 years group. Being in my 40’s and single, I would like there to be a social group for the middle aged. We have monthly morning teas after Mass which I should make more effort to get along to.

We have weekly bible study which is fantastic.

Hi asd72,
In short, we meet about every two weeks, usually on a Sunday evening, although some meet on other days.

1. Share a meal together. Usually pot luck or something to that effect.
2. Bible Study (usually based on a scripture passage or book of the Bible, etc)
3. Sharing praise reports (sharing recent blessings) and voicing petitions for prayer.
4. Fellowship (since I am in a group for couples, usually the women chat with each other and the men do likewise).

Note: There are some Connect Groups for singles, too, one that I recall for younger singles and one for older singles, although some singles go to small groups that have couples because they feel more comfortable there or have friends there.

It sounds like some Catholic parishes accomplish the same goals through similar or other methods, which is good to know. There is nothing magic about this formula that our church follows.

The purpose of this thread was curiosity on my part to see how local Catholic parishes deal with the issue of assimilating newcomers and helping them feel welcome so that they can more easily plug in to the church.

As a protestant who is considering Catholicism, I am doing a lot of comparing of different aspects of church doctrine and parish life. Forgive me if this is a trivial item to some.

 

[Jerusha]

We do things the old fashioned way, by walking up to someone and saying hello. We are quite good at it. The fact that we gather to worship every day and not just once each week really helps.

-Tim-

New people in the parish may drift away. Ditto for those who are shy in some way or another-- big umbrella term. When both new and shy, there can be major problems. Don’t assume that all is well simply because you are doing well. Reminds me of a funny passage in the Book of Mormon:

they will say, All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well; and thus the Devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell… Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion. Wo be unto him that crieth, All is well; yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, First Nephi Ch 28:21

Catholics often neglect the social needs of the flock. Mormons know that and capitalize on that.

It is not a triviality, Tommy. Comparative religions is a very rewarding study.

 

[Tommy999]

All Catholics share the common bond of being adopted sons of the Father. 1.3 Billion Catholics worldwide are all integrated into the body of believers by their baptism. The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Unity. That unity is more real than anything on earth.

My parish has ten thousand members. We have various ministries that people get involved in, Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes, sacristans, choir, readers, church dinners, faith formation and Bible study classes, retreats, spiritual talks, etc.

**No, we don’t have “Journey groups” or “Small groups” like many of the Evangelical Churches. We do things the old fashioned way, by walking up to someone and saying hello. We are quite good at it. The fact that we gather to worship every day and not just once each week really helps. **

-Tim-

Hi Tim,
We do that, too. Many visitors have commented on the friendliness of our congregation, some of whom decided to stay and become members. However, like yours, ours is a relatively large congregation with a number of new believers.

Our pastor decided that the approach to having Connect Groups was another way, in addition to meeting and greeting people the old fashioned way, to help integrate new Christians and new believers to the congregation and to provide mentors for the new believers.

I’m sure there are other ways to accomplish these goals. There is nothing magical about our approach.

 

[Tommy999]

New people in the parish may drift away. Ditto for those who are shy in some way or another-- big umbrella term. When both new and shy, there can be major problems. Don’t assume that all is well simply because you are doing well. Reminds me of a funny passage in the Book of Mormon:

Catholics often neglect the social needs of the flock. Mormons know that and capitalize on that.

It is not a triviality, Tommy. Comparative religions is a very rewarding study.

Thanks, Jerusha. I think you understand quite well the point I was trying to make. I realize the focal point and main aspect of Catholic worship is the Eucharist and always will be – as it should be. I was just curious as to the integration of new folks into the church.

 

[commenter]

All Catholics share the common bond of being adopted sons of the Father. 1.3 Billion Catholics worldwide are all integrated into the body of believers by their baptism. The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Unity. That unity is more real than anything on earth.

My parish has ten thousand members. We have various ministries that people get involved in, Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes, sacristans, choir, readers, church dinners, faith formation and Bible study classes, retreats, spiritual talks, etc.

No, we don’t have “Journey groups” or “Small groups” like many of the Evangelical Churches. We do things the old fashioned way, by walking up to someone and saying hello. We are quite good at it. The fact that we gather to worship every day and not just once each week really helps.
-Tim-

Your parish sounds good. Keep up the “old fashioned way” activities that still succeed for many people. I agree our unity is in the Eucharist.

The problem in many parishes is that the multitude of activities was attracting the same few people, usually the older generation, over and over. The great majority of people don’t know anybody when they come to church. And there are many other Catholics who rarely come to church at all. A cell group might be a way for parishioners to gather as friends and neighbors. It would reach some are not reached by the existing activities, especially young adults who are non-existent in traditional parish societies where I live.

When I was a child everyone walked to church, and many other places. You knew half your neighbors well, often sharing the same strong ethnic tie. That world is gone in many places. We need new strategies, cell groups might be part of that, but we should keep all the old fashioned stuff that is successful too.

 

[phil19034]

Hi Tommy

I know about the cell group you’ve mentioned. My mom is in the cell group (she’s Pentecostal) and she’s a lay member.

I know a Catholic Church near by my place that has a lot of activities such as the alpha course, rosary group, general meeting for Q&A, picnick, Bible study, they even provided rooms to rent for Catholic students who want to study in that city.

As FYI - there is now a tweaked version of Alpha specifically for Catholics called “Discovering Christ.”

christlife.org/sharefaith/Alpha.html

Christ Life used to run Alpha themselves for Catholics and eventually worked with Alpha to create a Catholic version.

 

[Vanez]

As FYI - there is now a tweaked version of Alpha specifically for Catholics called “Discovering Christ.”

christlife.org/sharefaith/Alpha.html

Christ Life used to run Alpha themselves for Catholics and eventually worked with Alpha to create a Catholic version.

Thank you for the link i will check it