November 2005

Dear Faith Sharing CommUnion Facilitator,

Thank you for answering the call with us to be the change we wish to see in our church! Together we are on a journey of truth, love, peace, and faith in action. This packet is designed to assist you as you organize and lead your Faith Sharing CommUnion for Catholics and seekers in our 20’s and 30’s. We are here with you.

What is this packet that I have been called to act on?

This packet is a labor of love from three church reform groups who have been working together. It was brought together by leaders from Call To Action, Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) and Future Church.

What is a Faith Sharing CommUnion?

A Faith Sharing CommUnion is made of pioneer, progressive young adult Catholics who meet to nurture and deepen their faith through prayer, fellowship and action. As CommUnions grow, together we will not only take local action, but build nation-wide campaigns on church and society concerns.

How to Get Started

If you are wondering where and how to begin, remember that where two or three are gathered, there is God. If you don’t have two or three, contact one of our partner organizations listed below for listings of their members in your area. You may also choose (with the appropriate permissions) to put up posters announcing your group at your local community center, church or school. Once you have a few people interested, decide on a date when you will meet in someone’s home, a room in a local church, in nature, or somewhere where you feel Christ’s presence. You may want to begin with a simple prayer and shared meal as a way to get to know one another before you begin. Consider asking everyone to bring something they consider sacred and creating a makeshift alter where you meet. Decide if you would like to meet weekly, biweekly or bimonthly. Also make plans as to where you will meet and when that will be. For other suggestions, contact one of the partner organizations listed below. And of course…call on the infinite inspiration and creativity of the Holy Spirit through prayer and meditation and you will be amazed!

Four Sample Gatherings

We included four outlines of a gathering that you may photocopy and use with your Faith Sharing CommUnion. Although this packet and its gatherings focus on women in the church, when you are ready, please contact one of the organizations listed below for the packets on other topics. You may use these gatherings as they are written or substitute portions of the outlines with ideas from our resource list. For example, instead of reading a scripture passage, you may choose to read and study some Vatican teachings on the topic. Another possibility would be to focus the group’s reflections by choosing just one discussion question and letting the conversation go. Be creative!

Resource List

We provided a resource list for you to enhance your Faith Sharing CommUnions. Parts of the resource list correspond with sections in the gatherings. You may be inspired to create and personalize your own Faith Sharing CommUnion outline. Other parts of the resource list may be expanded into an entire gathering. For example, you may choose to gather as a Faith Sharing CommUnion to watch one of the suggested videos and then host a discussion. You may also pick one of the recommended books and study a chapter together. After your CommUnion has had time to get to know one another and study a particular topic, you may choose to do an action that will bring about greater justice for the particular issue upon which you have reflected.

If you have any questions about this packet or would like to speak with someone about starting a Faith Sharing CommUnion, please feel free to contact one of the partner organizations listed below (see the resource guide for contact information). We hope this packet provides you some signposts as you walk your spiritual journey with us and gather with others to seek spiritual renewal for yourself, our church and our world.

Your fellow seekers,

WOC's Young Feminist Network

Call To Action/Next Generation: Faith Sharing CommUnion Subcommittee

Future Church