Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding Community for the Kingdom


 

Question: How are groups be formed? How large are they? How will groups be determined, especially if members are new to the parish?

Answer: If you are interested in being part of a group or forming one, include your preferences for being in a group when emailing Joe Tomaso, Director of Adult Faith Formation. The St. Joseph Team will use the information to help find the right group for you. Groups can be diverse and inclusive, much as St. Joseph parish is itself. Whether you are young or old, married or single, new to the parish or have been a life-long member, there is a group for you! Group sizes will usually be 8 to 10 people in size. A group that grows in its membership will be asked to consider splitting into two groups and inviting other people to join.
 

Question: How often will the meetings be? (Example: Mr. and Mrs. Hardy meet with their group quarterly. Is this the usual schedule?)

Answer: In order for a community to build and grow, gathering together is important, so a small group should plan to meet at least once a month. However, your group can meet more often than that, if the members choose. Your group can decide that in time.
 

Question: My spouse or significant other is not Catholic. I don’t want this person to think I’m pushing them into this. What can I do?

Answer: Even if your spouse, friend, etc. is not Catholic, they are welcome to be part of a small faith group. However, there is no pressure that your partner has to join, and you are still welcome to join a group if you would like, even if your partner decides not to do so. Keep in mind, though, that your partner is welcome to join the members for hospitality following the meeting and be part of the community if they would like. They are always welcome.
 

Question: Regarding hospitality, what is expected of a host for the group? What do I serve? How much time do I need to prepare?

Answer: Providing your group members with refreshments is important in helping to build relationships. In addition to prayer and faith sharing, having a small meal together helps contribute to the community being formed in the home. However, you are not expected to plan a dinner party. You can offer simple items such as cookies and coffee, cheese and crackers or maybe even order pizza! Your group can decide together what is right for the members. 
 

Question: Can I bring my children to a group meeting? What about my middle school- or high school-age children?

Answer: If you are in a group with other families or even if you are the only one, children are welcome to come along. You might plan with the host in advance to have something for children to do and a place where they can be, while the adults gather. After the meeting, all children – whether they are in elementary, junior high or high school – are always welcome to join in the hospitality! However, if they are interested in being with their own peers, parents could encourage them to participate in activities through the parish’s Youth Ministry program, such as Life Teen, which offers high school teens a chance to grow in their faith and share with their own group.
 

Question: If I am a facilitator for my group, how much preparation time is required?

Answer:  Facilitators will receive training before their first group meeting so they have an idea of how to guide a meeting to ensure it runs smoothly and prayerfully. Following the training, a facilitator might allot about an hour of their time before a meeting to read the scripture passage in advance and handle any other details beforehand.
 
Question: Will scripture passages be pre-selected for us? Will they be from both the Old and New Testaments?

Answer: For the first year that a group meets, suggestions for scripture passages will be offered to facilitators, to help everyone feel comfortable in the process. These passages are from the Sunday immediately following when the group meets. As the group continues meeting, the facilitator may feel more comfortable in selecting readings on their own for the group for prayer and reflection.
 

Question: Is Ignatian prayer or spirituality part of the small groups?

Answer: If you have participated in the prayer exercises created by St. Ignatius of Loyola, you may see some slight similarities to his practices, such as reading a scripture passage several times, reflecting on the words and discerning how God is speaking to you through his text. However, the Community for the Kingdom groups are not groups which specifically practice Ignatian prayer or spirituality.
 
Question: Is a small faith group the same as a men’s or women’s Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) small faith group? Do I have to choose one or the other?

Answer: Many might think Community for the Kingdom is just like CRHP or other ministry meetings.  Community for the Kingdom is not a ministry meeting. It is something different in a number of ways.  First, it is not gender specific. Men, women and couples are all welcome to attend a meeting together.  Next, it takes place in someone’s home, which gives it a more relaxed feeling.  Additionally, while a scripture passage is read at a Community for the Kingdom meeting, the responses are not part of a dialogue or debate. Rather, someone at a Community for the Kingdom shares what touched their heart while others listen.  Finally, there is a call to action.  After a couple of meetings, the group may feel a need to get involved in the community.  This can be their group community, neighborhood community, parish community, or whatever community they agree on.  For example, the call to action may be as simple as helping elderly people in your neighborhood or as broad as tackling a larger social justice project for an area in need of help.
 

Question: If people who are lacking in knowledge of Church teaching or faith formation are joining groups, can we be assured that we are rebuilding the foundation of our faith lives on “solid ground?”

Answer: Whether you are actively learning about your faith, or unsure of where to begin learning, you can still form and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationship is the key to small faith groups, for members to grow in love with Christ, just as Christ is very much in love with you. The more you are in a relationship with someone, the more you want to know that person and understand him or her. The same is true with relationship with Jesus as an individual and through community; you will want to learn more about the universal Church of which you are member and the teachings of your faith. 
 

"A new way of being church" - Pope Francis