are more than Bible studies. They are small groups of Catholic Christians that support each other in the growth of their faith and their lives.
The Archdiocese of Hartford published these notes:
We live such hectic, busy lives, there is often so little time to notice what is happening to us. Gathering together regularly with a few fellow parishioners in a small Christian community offers people a chance to slow down, to be a bit more reflective about life, to sift and sort the things that count. Over time the small church community becomes a place where members ask: How might God be acting in this crazy mixed-up life Im living, even if I dont pay much attention to Gods presence on a day-to-day basis?
A small Christian community is a group of 812 adults, or families, who come together, usually in each others homes, weekly or every other week to share something of their stories with one another and to share Gods story (i.e. the Sunday scriptures). Noticing ones story and the story of God, listening appreciatively to the story of another, people help each other to make connections between everyday life and faith.
Small Christian Communities are not just about meeting individual needs, they are also about building up the parish community and strengthening the life and mission of theparish. The key to building a parish that makes a difference in the world aroundit is to build a parish where people regularly make a difference in each others lives and faith. Small Christian communities make a difference in the lives of thosewho participate in them and in the parish that develops them.
St. Pius X Parish has two active Small Christian Communities.
Evelyn and Marty Herran started a Small Christian Community, then known as a "Renew Group", over 25 years ago when the program first began, and have been going ever since. The group as it is organized today has been meeting for over twelve years, with a recent addition. They have grown very close as good friends. Thats what Small Christian Community is all about: a small group of friends that grows closer together and grows in faith in God.
Jim Gillooly started a group about three years ago after reading about the importance of small Christian groups in Rev. Rick Warrens book Purpose Driven Life. He was inspired by the Bible quotes that showed that Christians need each other, and that the best way to get to know other Christians is through a small group. We need to worship together as a greater community in church, but we also need a smaller group of people to whom we can talk. In a small group, each person gets to contribute. Even Jesus chose only 12 apostles. Each member of the group contributes to the benefit of everyone, and benefits from the contributions of each one.
Jim
Gillooly started a group about three years ago after reading
about the importance of small Christian groups in Rev. Rick Warrens
book Purpose Driven Life. He was inspired by the Bible
quotes that showed that Christians need each other, and that the
best way to get to know other Christians is through a small group. We
need worship together as a greater community in church, but we also
need a smaller up of people to whom we can talk. In a small
group, each person gets to contribute. Even Jesus chose only 12
apostles. Each member of the group contributes to the benefit of
everyone, and benefits from the contributions of each one.
The Archdiocese of Hartford provides
support for Small Christian Communities through the publication of
Quest, a seasonally published guide for reflection, and faith-sharing.
For more information about Small Christian Communities in the
archdiocese of Hartford, see
http://www.sccquest.org/
-or-
http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/ministries/smallcommunities.htm
"For where two or three have gathered together in my name, I am therein
their midst."
Matthew 18:20
"That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each others
faith,bothyours and mine."
Rom 1:12
"Share others troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of
Christ."
Galatians 6:2