Small Groups

Development of Small Groups in Parishes

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Overview

To support parishes across the Diocese of Northampton to develop “small communities”. These would be small faith sharing groups centred around the Word, with a focus on forming participants to be missionary disciples.

Small communities meet twice a month (for example, the first and third Monday of the week). The meeting lasts 90 minutes. The best place for them to take place is in people’s homes. The content is given to the leaders so all the groups across each parish and the Diocese will be using the same material.

Benefits of Small Communities

  • A space where people can grow as disciples: praying, studying the Scriptures and
    receiving regular formation.
  • A space where people can develop their understanding of their call to evangelise and grow in their ability to share their faith with others.
  • A space where people can be nurtured and cared for.
  • A space that is ongoing, which new people can be invited to join at any point in the year.
  • A space where those received into the Church can continue to experience community after completing the RCIA process.
  • A non-sacramental space where people can be invited who are exploring faith as a doorway into the Church

THE PROCESS

Small communities are based on a ‘cell model’. A parish begins small and establishes one small community, then once that group gets to 12 to 15 people, the group splits into two groups, with a new host and leader identified. This process continues as the groups grow. This means to begin you only need one leader and one host, who will then invite people to the group.

ONGOING SUPPORT FROM MISSION NORTHAMPTON

Once you identify a leader and a host, the Training Leader from Mission Northampton will meet with them to arrange initial training and support.

Ongoing training and support will be offered to all leaders and hosts. This will include a monthly zoom meeting where that month’s material will be discussed

YOUR ROLE AS THE PRIEST/DEACON

It is good practice for the Parish Priest to meet with the leaders and hosts a minimum of twice a year to ensure good communication and to maintain a healthy link between the parish and the small communities.

The leader may be in touch between times if there are any specific issues that arise that they feel you should know about/intervene in, for example, if there was a safeguarding concern

IDENTIFYING A LEADER AND A HOST

A leader should be a practising Catholic with a heart for community and mission. They should have excellent people skills and be a good communicator.

The host should be a practising Catholic with a heart for hospitality who is willing to open their home to others.

In the end, this acronym is a good guide: A good volunteer will be:

FACT

  • Faithful
  • Available
  • Contagious
  • Teachable

GETTING STARTED

If you are interested in beginning Small Communities in your parish and you have already identified a leader and a host, please put them in touch with me via email and I will contact them directly.

If you would like to talk further about the possibility, then please feel free to get in touch.