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Specific suggestions for using Growing Faith in multi- generational catechetical gatherings... Growing Faith's true versatility as an effective tool for catechetical education shines when people of all ages are brought together.

Gathering the folks

• These gatherings may be organized according to one of the following plans:

• Multigenerational Model

• Children and adults in the same room

• Open to all in the parish

• Special focus on inviting parents with children in the process

• Adults, youth, and young adults use Growing Faith alongside children’s curriculum .

• Combination Model

• Start with everyone in the same room. Use Growing Faith to introduce the theme and topics for the evening to the whole group

• Send children to age based gatherings with catechists

• Send adults to their own gathering, using Growing Faith as the resource

• Close with shared prayer and refreshments
  
  

• All-At-One-Time Model

• Gather children in traditional religious education classrooms for catechetical process

• Gather adults in separate space to use Growing Faith and both adults and children study the same themes

• Close with shared prayer and refreshments

One month before each season starts

• Begin advertising in the bulletin and web sites and begin getting the word out person to person among the members of the parish; invite young people, the confirmation groups, or any group you wish to reach with catechesis.

• Schedule these gatherings at a regular frequency to keep the energy flowing and to help people plan in their personal schedules.

• Prepare volunteers to assist with getting the meeting space ready

• Make sure you have enough copies of the Growing Faith booklets you will need for that season.

• Invite the pastor or other appropriate pastoral staff to be present

One week before each gathering

• Review the Growing Faith Booklet for that gathering.

• Organize whatever food and other supplies will be needed.

• Assemble your volunteers for a one hour rehearsal of the gathering.

Beforehand

• Make the room as welcoming as possible, using lighting, music, refreshments, and adequate signs to welcome people and help them find their place.

• This is an excellent place for hospitality ministers within the parish to serve.

• As people arrive, have the first PowerPoint slide for that night on the screen, announcing the theme. The PowerPoint slides are available with the Facilitator’s Guide.

• It’s a good idea to use nametags even if most people know each other.

What you will need

• Round tables, or rectangular tables organized so people can easily gather and hear one another

• Refreshments

• A computer and projector for PowerPoint. A screen large enough for the room.

• Possibly a volunteer to help with technology.

• Music to play as people arrive, and during breaks

• The Scriptures enshrined within the room, along with a candle and other symbols of the faith

• A copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for reference

• Copies of the Growing Faith booklet for that evening for each participant

• Name tags

• A white, black, or paper board for writing notes as the group reports from small group activity to the large group

• A lectionary or guide for the Question of the Week

The process

3 minutes: Welcome

• Welcome the non-Catholic spouses or any guests who attend.

• Welcome all newcomers without making them feel uncomfortable.

• Make your welcome large and genuine.

• If possible, the welcome can come from several people: pastor, process leader, pastoral council leaders, or others.

2 minutes: Leaders

• Ask each table group to choose someone to serve as leader.

• No special training is needed. This person’s role is to keep the ball rolling in the discussion, take notes, and speak on behalf of the table to the large group.

15 minutes: Song and Breaking Open the Word

• Ask the group to focus and come to a moment of silent pause before beginning. Use the Growing Faith song, Lead Us to the Water by Tom Kendzia. It is found on the PowerPoint CD-ROM and may be played on either a CD player or your computer.

• Follow that brief opening with fifteen minutes of faith sharing based on the Question of the Week. Details about how to do this are found in other whole community catechesis resources.

40 minutes: Growing Faith, part one

• Follow the notes in the session plans presented in Part Three of the Facilitator’s Guide for the particular booklet you are using for that evening.

• Use the PowerPoint slides as noted.

15 minutes: Break

40 minutes: Growing Faith, part two

• Resume in the booklet where you left off before the break

5 minutes: Close

• Invite people to take the Growing Faith booklets home and save them

• Urge them to bring along other family members or friends to the next gathering.

• Close with this simple prayer on the last PowerPoint slide for all to pray together.

• Leader: Let us pray…

• Oh, God, we know that you are with us and that you behold all we say and do. Now grant, that by the light of your Holy Spirit, we might be diligent in our journey of faith and loving toward others. We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

• Leader: Go in peace!

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