Videos and Materials for Parish Consultation with Small Groups

PLEASE READ FIRST: Video Instructions for the Parish Consultation with Small Groups

Thank you for serving in the important roles of Small Group Process Manager or Core Team Member for the Parish Consultation with Small Groups! Please see resources below that you may find helpful as you prepare for the fall.

Fall 2021 (August/September) Training Resources

Download the 1 Page Checklist

For the Baseline Approach to Small Groups

Small Group Process Managers: Download the 1 Page Checklist here for the Baseline Approach to Small Groups.

Resources for Virtual Small Groups

Watch the video above to see how to collect feedback from small group members in a virtual group setting.

I. SPRING / SUMMER PLANNING – BASELINE APPROACH

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Step 1.

Form Core Team

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1. Connect with your parish Synod ambassadors

  • Locate a list of your parish Synod ambassadors.
  • Meet or speak with them and encourage them in their work: on the core team, as facilitators and scribes, or as ongoing ambassadors of prayer, invitation and communication.

2. Plan your core team and review with your pastor

  • Your parish core team may be small or large.
    • Small Group Process Managers may opt to oversee the effort wihtout additional team members.
    • If you wish to engage a team, review the core team member job description and scope of work, found under #3 below.
  • Ideas for people to consider inviting include:
    • DRE/Faith Formation staff person: This individual is likely already a Small Group Process Manager.
    • Ambassadors: We encourage you to consider your trained parish Synod ambassadors.
    • School rep: If your parish has a school, a school parent can assist with inviting school parents.
    • Other parishioners: Other parishioners with the desire and available time, including:
      • Names provided by your Pastor,
      • Parishioners whom Core Team members know and recommend,
      • Parishioners who attended the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute,
      • Parishioners who have facilitated small groups at your parish in the past, and others recommended by those facilitators,
      • Parishioners who have taken leadership roles (past or present) such as faith formation teachers, members of various councils, and schools teachers if you parish has a school,
      • Parishioners who take a weekly Adoration hour, and
      • Other names identified from a review of your parish directory.
  • If you are going to start new small groups (see Section III):
    • A woman as a coordinator for women’s small groups (and couples), and
    • A man as a coordinator for men’s small groups.
  • Note Regarding Other Parish Staff: Other parish staff will be critical to the success of the small groups, but may not need to be a member of the core team:
    • Communications: Parish communications staff member (website, parish electronic communications, social media, parish bulletins, etc.).
    • Administrative: Parish administrative staff member (booking parish calendar, reserving parish space, copying materials, hanging posters, etc.).
  • Review list with your Pastor.
  • Core team invite list:
    • Collect the names, phone numbers and emails of those you are inviting to be members of your core team. Track their responses.                                   

3. Invite core team members

  • Email invitation
  • Core team member job description and scope of work.
    • Job Description:
      • Faithful/Desire: Faithful practicing Catholic who desires to help others grow in their faith through the Synod small group process.
      • Available Time: Has the time available to meet and fulfill the scope of work.
      • Experience: Preferably has participated in and/or facilitated small groups.
  • Scope of Work:
    • Spring Training: Attend one training. Trainings are offered by the Archdiocese every Thursday now through May 27 in the afternoon (1-2:30 p.m.) and evening (7-8:30.p.m.). Training will cover planning and implementing the baseline approach for Synod small groups at the parish.
      • If your parish wishes to start new small groups, attend an additional training. Trainings are offered the first Tuesday of each month through May (March 2, April 6, and May 4) in the morning (10-11:30 a.m.).
    • Fall Training: Attend one training. Trainings will be offered by the Archdiocese in late August and early September 2021. Trainings will cover (i) Synod small group materials use and reporting parish feedback, (ii) Fall implementation of small groups, and (iii) facilitator and scribe training.
    • Attend parish core team meetings.
    • Complete assigned ministry tasks, and otherwise support the Small Group Process Managers.

4. Set core team meetings and manage the work

  • Set core team meetings.
  • Manage the work of the core team (based on the steps provided).

5. Small Group Process Manager scope of work (for reference)

  • Pastor assigned.
  • Scope of Work:
    • Spring Training: Attend one training. Trainings are offered by the Archdiocese every Thursday now through May 27 in the afternoon (1-2:30 p.m.) and evening (7-8:30.p.m.). Training will cover planning and implementing the baseline approach for Synod small groups at the parish.
      • If your parish wishes to start new small groups, attend one additional training. Trainings are offered the first Tuesday of each month through May (March 2, April 6, and May 4) in the morning (10-11:30 a.m.).
    • Fall Training: Attend one training.  Trainings will be offered by the Archdiocese in late August and early September 2021.  Trainings will cover (i) Synod small group materials use and reporting parish feedback, (ii) Fall implementation of small groups, and (iii) facilitator and scribe training.
    • Form the core team, and facilitate core team meetings.
    • Plan and implement the Synod small groups, working with the core team, parish staff, ambassadors, facilitators and scribes.

Step 2.

Plan Baseline Approach: Parish Hosted Open Invite Small Groups & Existing Small Groups

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1. Baseline Approach to Synod Small Groups

  • At a minimum, parishes are expected to offer the following Synod small groups fall 2021:
    • Parish Hosted Open Invite small groups, and
    • Invite and encourage existing small groups to use Synod small group materials.

2. Small Group Materials

  • Parishes are to use the Synod small group materials provided by the Archdiocese without adjustment, and report parish feedback to the Archdiocese as requested.
  • Small group materials will be provided and explained at the late August and early September trainings. Materials will include a two-hour video that includes significant and multiple built-in times for discussion. The process is designed for participants to stay at their same tables for the entire two hours.  Parishes should consider space and video screens accordingly.
  • The process for providing feedback will be explained at the late August and early September trainings.

 

3. Parish Hosted Open Invite small groups

  • Parish plans and hosts
    • Parish plans and hosts an onsite opportunity that is open to all parishioners each week (whether they register or not). This structure is to provide for maximum flexibility for parishioner involvement.
    • Parish should consider hosting one in the morning and one in the evening to encourage participation.
    • Sample advertisement:

Join our Synod small groups Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m. starting in September!

Come with your own small group, or the parish will place you in one.

Registration is appreciated, but not required.  All are welcome!

  • Administration of small groups
    • Parishioners who attend as a small group will meet with their small group during this time at the parish (with one member facilitating, and one member acting as scribe).
    • For all other parishioners who register or just show up, the parish will place them in a small group for that week, and the parish provides a facilitator and scribe.
    • Facilitators and scribes report to the Small Group Process Manager.

4. Existing small groups

  • Invite and encourage existing parish small groups, and other small groups meeting at or related to your parish (for example, Cursillo or Bible studies) to use the Synod small group materials fall 2021.
  • Facilitators and Scribes
    • Each existing small group should recruit a scribe from the group, and the group’s normal facilitator and scribe should attend one training late August/early September.
    • Facilitators and scribes communicate with the Small Group Process Manager.

Step 3.

Reserve Parish Calendar and Space

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1. Reserve six weeks for Synod small groups

  • Reserve six weeks between September 19 and November 14, 2021 on your parish Adult Faith Formation calendar for Synod small groups.
    • Sacramental prep continues without interruption during this time frame.
    • Avoid other adult faith formation opportunities during this time frame to encourage Synod small group participation.

2. Reserve parish space

  • Reserve rooms for Synod small groups to meet at your parish.
  • Materials will include a two-hour video that includes significant and multiple times for discussion. The process is designed for participants to stay at their tables for the entire two hours. Parishes should consider space and video screens accordingly.

Step 4.

Prepare Communications Plan and Calendar

Find latest Synod promotional content: archspm.org/synodpromo

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1. Prepare communications plan through late August

  • Prepare your communications plan through late August. Consider electronic and traditional means:
    • Electronic: website, electronic communications, social media, and
    • Traditional: bulletin text/insert, pulpit announcements, and parish posters.
  • Visit the Synod promotional web page archspm.org/synodpromo for promotional materials including:
    • Synod Overview, Year 3,
    • Parish Poster 2021 (posted later this spring),
    • Parish Editable Poster 2021 (posted August),
    • Bulletin announcements (which can also be used for pulpit announcements),
    • Videos and more.

2. Prepare a specific communication plan for the weekends in late August and September

  • Prepare a specific communications plan for the following weekends:
    • August 28/29,
    • September 4/5 (Labor Day weekend),
    • September 11/12 (consider homily messaging and a testimony after Masses), and
    • September 18/19.
  • Consider electronic and traditional means:
    • Electronic: website, electronic communications, and social media.
    • Traditional: bulletin text/insert, pulpit announcements, and parish posters.
  • September 11/12 (first weekend after Labor Day)
    • Consider pastor homily messaging and a testimonial after all Masses this weekend.
    • Pastor homily messaging:
      • If possible, the pastor may incorporate the Synod Parish Consultation process with Small Groups into his homily.
      • He can briefly explain the Synod and expound on the value of participating in the small groups and giving feedback on the focus areas, and invite and encourage parishioners to attend the fall small groups.
    • Testimonial:
      • A testimony of a personal experience in a small group is a powerful and moving means of communicating the value of small groups and inviting and encouraging parishioners to attend.
      • Select a person (or couple) who is comfortable speaking at the podium, is relatable, and can speak from the heart about the value of their small group experience.
      • Review and approve the content and length with the speaker(s) prior to the testimony.

Step 5.

Recruit Facilitators and Scribes (Spring through September)

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1. Estimate numbers of facilitators and scribes to invite

  • Estimate the number of small groups you will have using the following calculation.
    • Estimate the number of parishioners who will attend.
    • Divide by 8 (plan for 8 people in a small group, including the facilitator and scribe).
    • The resulting number is the estimated number of small groups you will have.
  • Plan 1 facilitator and 1 scribe for each small group.
    • If you have more small groups than expected, recruit more facilitators and scribes from the groups. If you have backups, assign them.
    • If you have less small groups than expected, the remaining faciltiators and scribes can be backups in the small groups.
  • Example calculation:
    • Estimated number of parishioners who will attend:
    • Divide by 8.
    • Estimated number of small groups: 100 / 8 = 12.5 (round up to 13).
    • Recruit 13 facilitators and 13 scribes. Recruit more if you can for back-ups.

2. Prepare list of facilitators and scribes to invite

  • Prepare a list of parishioners to invite. Consider the following:
    • Names provided by your pastor,
    • Ambassadors,
    • Parishioners whom the Core Team know and recommend,
    • Parishioners who attended the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute,
    • Parishioners who have facilitated small groups at your parish in the past, and others recommended by those facilitators,
    • Parishioners who have taken leadership roles at your parish (past or present) such as faith formation teachers, members of various councils, and schoolteachers if your parish has a school,
    • Parishioners who take a weekly Adoration hour, and
    • Other names identified from a review of your parish directory.

3. Review list with your pastor for approval

  • Given the facilitators and scribes will be in a leadership position, review the invitation list with the pastor for his approval.
  1. Invite facilitators and scribes
  • The Small Group Process Manager and/or core team members extend a personal invitation (with email follow-up) or just an email invitation.
  • Where applicable, ask for your pastor’s assistance. For example, your pastor may send the email, or your pastor may personally invite parishioners as they leave Mass.

II. FALL IMPLEMENTATION – BASELINE APPROACH

Step 6.

Attend 1 of the Trainings Offered in Late August and Early September

Watch for details to come!

Step 7.

Communicate and Invite Parishioners

Watch for details to come!

Step 8.

Implement Parish Small Groups

Watch for details to come!

Step 9.

Report Feedback to Archdiocese

Watch for details to come!

III. START NEW SMALL GROUPS

Option 1.

Parish Hosted Open Invite Small Groups for Parents of School Age Children

1. Core Team

  • Add school parents to the Core Team who can help with advertising to school parents and administering the small groups.

2. Plan day and time

  • Considering the school calendar, plan the day of the week and the six weeks to meet between September 19 and November 14, 2021.
  • Plan a start time that is convenient for parents after student drop-off.
  • Sample advertisement:

Join together with other school parents for our Synod small groups

Tuesday mornings from 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. starting September 28!

Come alone or with friends and the parish will place you in a small group.

Registration appreciated but not required.  All are welcome!

3. Reserve parish calendar and space

  • Reserve parish space for small groups, and equipment needed for video screens.

4. Prepare communications plan and calendar

  • Prepare an “Information and Signup Form.”
  • Review the school calendar and identify key dates and activities. Using the school’s existing channels of communications, prepare a plan to communicate with parents.  For example:
    • Send the “Information and Signup Form” home with the students,
    • Staff an information and signup table at any open houses, after the opening school Mass, and other school events.
    • Have some parents at student drop-off the first week to extend a personal invitation.
  • Review with the school principal (and Pastor, if applicable)

5. Recruit facilitators and scribes

  • Using the same process as the Baseline Approach, estimate the number of facilitators and scribes to invite, prepare a list of invitees, and review the list with your pastor. It’s helpful to have one parent or couple from each class help with this process.
  • The Small Group Process Manager or Core Team members extend a personal invitation (with email follow-up) or just an email invitation.
    • See website for “Sample invite – Facilitator or Scribe (Small Groups for Parents of School Age Children)”. Download and edit as needed
  • If more facilitators or scribes needed, extend a parish wide invitation.
    • See website for “Sample invite to all parishioners – Facilitator or Scribe (Small Groups for Parents of School Age Children)” which includes expectations. Download and edit as needed.
    • Given this person will be in a leadership position with parishioners, the Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) would meet with the parishioner to discuss the role and approve them as a facilitator.

6. Facilitator and scribe attend a training in August/September

7. Document list for Option 1 (downloadable)

  • Sample invite – Facilitator or Scribe (Small Groups for Parents of School Age Children)
  • Sample invite to all parishioners – Facilitator or Scribe (Small Groups for Parents of School Age Children)
  • Information and Signup Form

Option 2.

Parish/Facilitator Hosted Common Interest Small Groups

1. Identify Common Interest Groups

  • Examples: young singles, recently married couples, parents of children recently baptized, parents of children in 2nd grade first sacraments, parents of children in Confirmation, or parishioners in senior living.

2. For the chosen common interest groups, recruit a parishioner to be the host and facilitator

  • Review names with pastor for prior approval.
  • The Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) extends a personal invitation (with email follow-up) or just an email invitation.
    • See “Sample invite – Host and Facilitate a Common Interest Small Group” which includes expectations. Download and edit as needed.
  • The facilitator should recruit a scribe from the group, and both should attend one of the trainings offered in late August/early September.
  • Facilitators and scribes communicate with the Parish Small Group Process Manager throughout the process.

3. The Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) meets with the facilitator to plan the small group

  • Plan the meeting dates and times.
  • Plan the meeting location – either at the parish, a home of a small group member, or a coffee shop (if there is a private room where the group can watch the video).
  • Prepare an “Information and Signup Form.”
  • The facilitator would recruit a scribe from the group, and both would attend training late August/early September. The facilitator and scribe would communicate with the Parish Small Group Process Manager throughout the process.

4. Prepare the communications and signup plan, tailored to that particular common interest group

  • Example for newly married couples:
    • After approval from the pastor, obtain a list of newly married couples at the parish. From that group, recruit a couple to host and facilitate.  Meet with the couple to plan the small group and create the “Information and Signup Form.”  The Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) extends a personal invitation (with email follow-up) or just an email invitation to the other newly married couples at the parish attaching the form.
  • Example for a common interest group of parents of 2nd grade first sacraments:
    • After approval from the pastor, obtain a list of parents of children in first sacraments. From that list, recruit a father, mother or couple to host and facilitate.  Meet with the parishioner(s) to plan the small groups and create the “Information and Signup Form.”  The Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) and facilitator attend a meeting of parents to present and invite parents to signup using the form.  If a parent meeting is not scheduled or is scheduled too late, then communicate the invite via email.
  • Required numbers:
    • For a small group to form, a minimum of five members is required.
    • If less than five people signup, the small group is not formed and the interested parishioners are invited to attend another small group (either the Parish Hosted Open Invite Small Groups or another of the parish small groups).
    • If more than eight people signup (including the facilitator and scribe), invite those over that number to join another parish small group, or (if there are enough people) recruit a facilitator from that group and start a second small group.

5. Facilitator and scribe attend a training in August/September

6. Document list for Option 2 (downloadable)

  • “Sample invite – Host and Facilitate a Common Interest Small Group”
  • “Information and Signup Form”

Option 3.

Parish/Facilitator Hosted Open Signup Small Groups

1. Invite parishioners to host and facilitate an open signup small group

  • Invite parishioners who would like to host and facilitate a Parish/Facilitator Hosted Open Signup Small Group to complete an “Interested Facilitator Form.”
  • As this person would be in a leadership position with parishioners, the Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) would meet with the parishioner to discuss the role and approve them as a facilitator.
  • Parishioners interested in this role will vary. Some may opt to open their small group to any parishioner who wishes to signup.  Others may wish to specify the type of group.
    • Examples include an empty-nester couple who wants to open their home for a small group for any parishioners who signs up, a men’s group who wants to meet at a coffee shop (provided there is somewhere they can view the video) in the morning before work, or a women’s group who wants to meet at the parish.
    • Examples of facilitators who specify a type of group includes: a mother of young children who wants to host a Saturday morning small group for other mothers of small children, or a person who wants to host a small group with other runners (bikers, gardeners, golfers, car enthusiasts, etc.).

2. The Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) meets with the approved facilitator to plan the small group

  • Plan the meeting dates and times.
  • Plan the meeting location – either at the parish, a home of a small group member, or a coffee shop (if there is a private room where the group can watch the video).
  • Prepare an “Information and Signup Form.”
  • The facilitator would recruit a scribe from the group, and both would attend a training in August/September. The facilitator and scribe would communicate with the Parish Small Group Process Manager throughout the process.

3. Prepare a communications plan and calendar

  • Now through late August, use electronic and traditional means to communicate the opportunity to parishioners.
  • In August and early September, prepare a specific communications plan by weekend.
  • See the website for sample bulletin text.

4. Prepare for signups in September – either at tables after Masses or electronic

    • Prepare for signups:
    • If signup will be done after Masses, plan and staff information and signup tables after Masses in September. Complete a “Small Group Signup Form” for each small group.  Download the form and edit for each small group as needed.
    • If signup will be done electronically, prepare the electronic tool and process that will be used.
  • Logistics considerations for signup tables
    • Greeters and table staffing:
      • Recruit your Synod ambassadors or other parishioners to greet people as they leave Mass and invite them to the information and signup tables.
      • Schedule core team members or ambassadors to staff the tables.
    • Tables:
      • Arrange for setup and takedown of tables.
      • Prepare signage in advance.
      • Place tables physically apart from each other to allow for people to move easily.
      • Prepare the “Small Group Signup Form” for each small group in advance
      • Have pens available for signup.
    • Required numbers:
      • For a small group to form, a minimum of five members is required.
      • If less than five people signup, the small group is not formed and the interested people are invited to attend another small group (either the Parish Hosted Open Invite Small Groups or another of the parish small groups).
      • If more than eight people signup (including the facilitator and scribe), invite those over that number to join another parish small group, or (if there are enough people) recruit a facilitator from that group and start a second small group.

5. Facilitator and scribe attend a training in August/September

6. Example approach

  • Example for an empty nester couple who wishes to host and facilitate a small group in their home.
    • This spring through August:
      • The parish advertises this option to parishioners, and asks interested parishioners to submit the “Interested Facilitator Form.”
      • The Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) meets with the interested facilitator to discuss the role and approve them as a facilitator.
      • The Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) meets with the approved facilitator to plan the small group and complete an “Information and Signup Form.”
    • Late August/early September:
      • The parish advertises this opportunity (along with all of the other small group opportunities) for interested parishioners to signup.
      • The parish arranges signup weekends for parishioners to signup – either on paper after Masses or on-line electronically.
      • Five or more people signup (including the facilitator), the facilitator recruits a scribe and attends training, and communicate with the Parish Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) throughout the process.

7. Document list for Option 3 (downloadable)

  • Interested Facilitator Form
  • Information and Signup Form
  • Small Group Signup Form (prepared for each small group)

Option 4.

Parishioner Initiated Small Groups

1. Invite parishioners to host and facilitate their own small group

  • Invite parishioners who want to invite friends, coworkers or neighbors and start their own small group to complete an “Interested Facilitator Form.”
  • As this person is inviting people they know personally, and are not taking open signup from parishioners in general, they are not in a direct leadership position, and the step of meeting with the parishioner to discuss the role and approve them as a facilitator can be skipped.

2. The Small Group Process Manager (or assignee) meets with the facilitator to plan the small group

  • Plan the meeting dates and times.
  • Plan the meeting location – either at the parish, a home of a small group member, or a coffee shop (if there is a private room where the group can watch the video).
  • Prepare an “Information and Signup Form.”

3. Parishioner uses the form to invite their friends, coworkers or neighbors to their small group

  • The facilitator would recruit a scribe from the group, and both would attend a training in August/September. The facilitator and scribe would communicate with the Parish Small Group Process Manager throughout the process.
  • Required numbers:
    • For a small group to form, a minimum of five members is required.
    • If less than five people signup, the small group is not formed and the interested people are invited to attend another small group (either the Parish Hosted Open Invite Small Groups or another of the parish small groups).

4. Facilitator and scribe attend a training in August/September

5. Document list for Option 4 (downloadable)

  • Interested Facilitator Form
  • Information and Signup Form

TRAININGS

1. Spring/Summer Training: Planning for fall Parish Synod small groups

    • Baseline Approach for all parishes: Attend one training. Trainings are offered every Thursday now through May 27 in the afternoon (1-2:30 p.m.) and evening (7-8:30 p.m.).
      • “Start New Small Groups”: If your parish wishes to start new small groups, attend one additional training. Trainings are offered the first Tuesday of each month through May (March 2, April 6, and May 4) in the morning (10-11:30 a.m.).
    • Invitees: Small Group Process Managers, ambassadors, and interested parish staff.

2. Fall Training: Implementation of Synod small groups

    • Attend one training. Trainings will be offered late August and early September. Training includes (i) Synod small group material use and reporting parish feedback, (ii) Fall implementation of small groups, and (iii) facilitator and scribe training.
    • Invitees: Small Group Process Managers, facilitators and scribes, ambassadors and interested parish staff.

OVERVIEW COMMENTS

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1. Archdiocesan Assistance:

2. Purpose of Website and General Overview: The purpose of this website is to assist your parish with planning and implementing the Parish Consultation Process with Small Groups this fall.

  • Reserve Parish Adult Faith Formation Calendar Fall 2021
    • Synod small groups will take place six weeks between September 19 and November 14, 2021.
      • Sacramental prep should continue uninterrupted.
      • Avoid other adult faith formation activities during this timeframe to encourage Synod small group participation.
  • Baseline Approach for Fall Synod Small Groups: At a minimum, parishes are expected to offer the following Synod small groups:
    • Parish Hosted Open Invite small groups, and
    • Invite and encourage existing small groups to use Synod materials fall 2021.
  • Optional Approaches – Start New Small Groups: For those parishes wishing to start new small groups, training will be offered covering four approaches to starting new small groups:
    • Parish Hosted Open Invite Small Groups for Parents of School Age Children,
    • Parish/Facilitator Hosted Common Interest Small Groups,
    • Parish/Facilitator Hosted Open Signup Small Groups, and
    • Parishioner Initiated Small Groups.
  • Small Group Materials & Reporting:
    • For purposes of the Synod small group process, parishes are to use the Synod small group materials provided by the Archdiocese without adjustment and provide feedback to the Archdiocese as requested.
    • Small group materials will be provided and explained at the late August and September trainings. Materials will include a two-hour video that includes significant and multiple built-in times for discussion. The process is designed for participants to stay at their same tables for the entire two hours. Parishes should consider space and video screens accordingly.
  • Parish Flexibility: Beyond the requirements noted above, the approach, structure and example documents on this website are tools provided to assist the parish with this work.  As you plan your parish Synod small groups, feel free to customize these tools.

3. Value of Parish Consultation Process with Small Groups

  • Value to Synod: Parish feedback on the focus areas will inform the Deanery Consultation process.  The Deanery Consultation will occur January and February 2022 and will help determine Synod topics at the Archdiocesan Synod Assembly.  The Archdiocesan Synod Assembly will be held Pentecost weekend June 2022.  After considering the resulting Synod recommendations, Archbishop Hebda will write a Pastoral Letter (November 2022, Feast of Christ the King), leading to a Pastoral Plan to more our Archdiocese into the future.
  • Value to Parish: Small groups also provide value in the life of the faithful and the parish, including:
    • Effective faith formation and growth, as outlined in Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Matthew Kelly:
      • Prayer: Individual and prayers of the Church – Mass and sacraments,
      • Continuous learning : Spiritual growth, support and accountability in Christian living,
      • Evangelization: Emboldens members to share their faith, and
      • Generosity: Encourages service to parish and community.
    • Building strong fellowship and community, connecting people to others, their parish and Christ.
    • Facilitators who are trained and can be a source of evangelized, future parish leaders.
    • Adults who are evangelized and catechized who then pass on the faith to their children and grandchildren, strengthening families.

4. Parish Time and Financial Resources

  • Pastor Time
    • Although the Pastor may choose to be more involved, he can limit his involvement to (i) receiving periodic updates from the Core Team, (ii) approval of facilitators and scribes, and (iii) messaging from the pulpit.
  • Parish Staff and Time
    • Time of the Small Group Process Managers (or other parish staff) overseeing the ministry.
    • Time of the Communications staff (updating the website, parish electronic communications, etc.).
    • Time of the Administrative staff (booking rooms, putting up posters, copying small group materials).
  • Parish Financial Resources
    • Printing bulletin inserts or other advertising materials.
    • Printing the small group materials for parish small groups.

ARCHDIOCESAN REQUIREMENTS FOR A PARISH ADULT SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

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1. Archdiocesan Requirements for a Parish Adult Small Group Ministry

  • The “Archdiocesan Requirements for a Parish Adult Small Group Ministry” form can be found on this web page (archspm.org/synodsmallgroups).
  • The policy requires parish small groups comply with all of Governor Walz’s Executive Orders and all Minnesota Department of Health Guidelines for gatherings of unrelated individuals.
  • The policy also explains the required forms, procedures regarding vulnerable adults and minors, and other topics such as meeting size, transportation and alcohol. Regarding minimum sizes, three members of a small group must be present for a small group to meet. If only two members can attend, the facilitator must cancel and reschedule the meeting.

2. Required Archdiocesan forms

  • All small group facilitators must sign the “Small Group Facilitator Form.”
  • For small groups that meet in a home:
    • All small group members must sign the “Small Group Member Adult Liability Waiver.”
    • Small groups must also comply with all of Governor Walz’s Executive Orders and all Minnesota Department of Health Guidelines for gatherings of unrelated individuals. The requirements starting March 15 for private social gatherings is 15 people indoors. Updated requirements provided in August/September training.
  • The parish must keep these documents on file for two years.

3. Essential 3

  • Questions regarding Essential 3 may be directed to Paul Iovino, Deputy Director of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environments, by email at iovinop@archspm.org or office phone at (651) 291-4514.

4. Document list for Archdiocesan Requirements

  • Archdiocesan Requirements for a Parish Adult Small Group Ministry
  • Small Group Facilitator Form
  • Small Group Member Adult Liability Waiver

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