Diocese of Madison
CONNECTIONS – Adult Small Groups
 

CONNECTIONS

Support in Launching and Nurturing
Adult Small Groups in Your Parish!

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin said 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."

What is CONNECTIONS?
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 provided! 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.


Initial Training Sessions for Facilitators
There is no fee for the training sessions and lunch will be provided. Please register online or by calling Grace Simon at 608-821-3163. See the CONNECTIONS schedule to view key dates at a glance. The initial training session is offered three times: A Pre-Launch Meeting for Facilitators - Saturday, September 15
Central to a fruitful small group is getting off to a strong start. In addition to attending one of the above initial training sessions, all CONNECTIONS Small Group facilitators gather in Madison on Saturday, September 15, 12:45-3pm for a Pre-Launch Meeting at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Center. This meeting equips facilitators to personally invite and follow up with parishioners.

Ongoing Formation for Facilitators - a Key Element of Fruitful Small Groups
So often what is missing in our programs is ongoing formation and support for leaders. Leaders need help as they try to fruitfully carry out their ministry. There will be multiple opportunities for small group facilitators to grow spiritually. First, between the weeks of August 20 and September 7, leaders may attend 3 weekly leaders' small groups offered in Madison and Janesville. Second, when the parish small groups begin meeting in October there will be optional leaders' meetings in Montello, Janesville, and Madison for those interested in ongoing formation and spiritual development. The day and time of the above meetings will be based on those interested and will be posted on-line.

To Members of Parishes in the Diocese of Madison - Getting Involved
If you are interested in facilitating an adult small group at your parish, please contact Grace Simon at 608-321-3163 or gsimon@evangelicalcatholic.org. Please register for one of the initial training sessions in the region closest to you. All training sessions are free and lunch is provided! We look forward to meeting you!

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 Grace Simon 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! Grace Simon, 608-821-3163 or gsimon@evangelicalcatholic.org.

 
   
 
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