Who, What, When, How...


If you would like to know more please read below or contact me:
  André
  E. andredietrichsen@vodamail.co.za
  C. 0824944080



ECCLESIA SMALL FAITH SHARING GROUPS
If you have not had the opportunity to participate in a Small Faith Sharing Group you may have wondered what they are all about. You might have questions such as:



Q: IS IT A PRAYER GROUP?
A: It’s actually more than just a prayer group. Certainly, prayer is a part of it – at each session there is time for an opening and closing prayer (which may be formal or informal), time for silent prayer and time for personal prayers of petition as members become comfortable to share them.

Q: IS IT A BIBLE STUDY?
A: It is not a formal study of the bible from a historical or theological perspective. So you don’t have to be a scripture scholar to participate. However, scripture, the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are a vital part of faith-sharing. At each session the participants reflect upon those readings as well as the DVD input material and then share how they relate to their own lives and how they can turn this reflection into action.

SO WHAT IS AN ECCLESIA SMALL FAITH SHARING GROUP?
It is a gathering of 6-12 people who meet to read and reflect on the scriptures, to pray and to socialize. Each small group is made up of a variety of people, they may be people of different ages, diverse backgrounds and a variety of interests or they may be a group of people like the parish catechists, or the stay-at-home moms, or the recently widowed – who do have similar

interests. A faith-sharing group provides a place where we can simply be ourselves in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere – a place where we can renew ourselves spiritually. Faith-sharing is a prayerful experience of listening to God’s Word, the writings from Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church and then sharing how this is lived in our own lives and the lives of others. It is also a great way to meet and get to know others in your parish community.





Some Background...
Shortly after his arrival in the Archdiocese of Cape Town, Archbishop Stephen Brislin established the Pastoral Plan Implementation Advisory Board. This Board has looked at the most important and pressing needs coming from the Synod of 2007. Both laity and clergy have been consulted, and the need to reflect upon, discuss and discover our faith and our relationship with the person of Jesus has emerged. As reflected in the Pastoral Plan, Small Faith Sharing Groups is the best model to use to achieve this. The Centre for Pastoral Development has therefore developed this series called Ecclesia.
Each season has 6 episodes. The format for the Small Faith Sharing Group meetings is a short DVD as initial input and then a series of reflections, from both Scripture and the documents of Vatican II, a time for prayer and an opportunity to turn the reflection into action.

Love the Church	Week
1. Christian Initiation	20 Feb - 25 Feb
2. Discipleship	27 Feb - 03 Mar
3. The work & action of the Holy Spirit	05 Mar - 10 Mar
4. The Church - People of God, Body of Christ, Pilgrim People	12 Mar - 17 Mar
5. The Local Church	19 Mar - 23 Mar
6. Mission	26 Mar - 31 Mar

Our Faith Our Life	Week
1. Marriage	tbc
2. Womb to Tomb	tbc
3. Youth	tbc
4. Family Life	tbc
5. Moral Issues	tbc
6. Family Spirituality	tbc

Brave New Church	Week
1. Eucharist	tbc
2. Servant Leadership	tbc
3. Communities in service	tbc
4. Justice	tbc
5. Social Issues	tbc
6. Hope & Joy	tbc

The reflection materials for the small faith sharing groups will also be available in Xhosa and Afrikaans.
DVD Including a booklet is R40 and Booklet is R10. You can order these items directly from me or from the Parish office.
Each Small group will require a DVD for the small Faith Sharing Group and a booklet for each person.