Small Christian Community Facilitators
A pastoral facilitator is the person who has the responsibility of guiding his or her group through the faith sharing process of the SCC. Pastoral facilitators (also known as leaders) of an SCC, by demonstrating charity and flexibility, effectively help the group to stay on the topic, gently include hesitant members, and develop a warm, accepting, open climate and group cohesiveness.
Pastoral facilitators are leaders who do not provide preambles, speeches, or who are Biblical experts, but rather they listen carefully to the participants and ask questions only when necessary to keep the discussion moving or to stay on focus. The leaders need to be prepared by understanding beforehand the questions that will be addressed in the upcoming group session. The leader needs to be flexible and able to adapt to what is needed from the group sharing as it moves along.
St. Bernadette's has an experienced group of facilitators and trainers who are ready and willing to assist you. Whether it be a simple question on group structure, or an in-depth question on faith that requires the involvement of our parish priests, we are here to help you.
WE NEED YOU! We have parishioners who want to join an SCC, but we need people like you to help us make this possible. Will you answer the call? Please contact Mary Permoda at the parish office for additional details.
USEFUL LINKS
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Emmaus Journey - Lectionary Based Small-Group Discussion Material is available as a free download in Word or PDF format.
Official Documents of the Church: links to Church documents
Phoenix Diocese