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Specific suggestions for using Growing Faith for parish wide personal use... Within every parish in the church are people who do not volunteer for parish leadership or ministry teams. They do not have children in school or religious education. They do not attend most parish functions, outside of Sunday Mass. But they want to grow in their faith.

The Invitation

• Growing Faith provides the perfect tool for doing this. It is designed to be powerfully effective even when used privately.

• Invite anyone in the parish who wishes to grow in their faith, even if they do not wish to attend gatherings or meetings of any kind, to use Growing Faith.

• It works very well to hold two of three sign up periods within each year. You may want to schedule one for the early fall and another for shortly after Christmas.

• It’s important to note that for some people, private study of this kind is best for them. People should not be made to feel that group study is their only option.

The Gathering

• Again, for some people, gathering may not be the right first step.

• Allow for people to be part of parish life by studying at their own speed and in private.

The Welcome

• Be clear in your announcements about Growing Faith that those who choose to use it privately are not less good than those who choose to take part in a gathering. Folks should be trusted to know how and when they wish to enhance their journeys of faith. If we become purists about how we proceed, many people will never get the jump start in their faith life which they need and want.

Break Open the Word

• It is possible to break open the Word alone. The Question of the Week should be sent home on the bulletin, posted on the parish web site, and made available in any other possible way. For some people, they will look at the reading, consider the Question, and not share with anyone – and this is acceptable. We should affirm folks in doing this regardless the way they do it.

The Process

• A person using Growing Faith privately does not need a session plan. Growing Faith is self-directing for private use. This should allow anyone who wishes to grow in their faith to use Growing Faith on their journey.

Afterward

• Keep inviting folks to gather together for catechesis. Because, even though it is acceptable to study faith alone, it is preferred that at least part of this journey be shared. Furthermore, as people do study and grow they will want to gather with others. New questions will arise in their minds. New desires will emerge in their hearts. Keep making room for everyone and keep the door open to all.

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