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Cultivating Belonging
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General Practices
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Welcoming People at Mass
At the June 17 Synodal Summit, John Cooper shared his experience of cultivating a welcoming community at St. Anthony's parish. Below are links to a video of his presentation and a follow-up summary of important points.
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Small Groups
If you're looking for small group resources, you've come to the right spot. The PDF below includes popular materials for one-time or long term gatherings, including:- videos
- podcasts
- written guides
It also includes practical tips fro running a small group. These lists are not exhaustive or perfect, but they are a place to start.
Dowload the PDF here
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Liturgical Hospitality
Parish Accessibility Survey (click here)
You may want to consider something like the following steps:
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In collaboration with your pastor, make sure that leadership groups (for example, parish council, liturgy committee, building and grounds) are supportive of the accessibility survey being conducted.
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Inform the community that the accessibility survey is being used (perhaps in the bulletin or announcements at Mass).
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Complete the survey with a small group on the parish grounds.
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Take any issues that arise to the leadership groups you started with (see Step 1) for conversation about next steps.
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Throughout, make sure the community is informed of the process, findings, and next steps.
Importantly, if there are specific communities needing access (e.g. those in wheel chairs, those who are visually or hearing impaired), invite them to be part of the process.
For any questions you may have, please contact Deacon Frank Agnoli, diocesan Director of Liturgy at [email protected] or 563-888-4257.
You can download a printable version of these suggestions here: PDF | MSDOC
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Social Media
3 Easy Practices for W+B on Social Media
For pratical tips and examples of these practices, download the document here: (English | Español)
Toward Full Presence Media Kit
On May 28, 2023, the Vatican released a reflection on using social media, entitled, Towards Full Presence (TFP). With social media often being polarizing and impersonal, we can invite a personal, incarnational engagement. Check out these resources:
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Edition No. 1Reflection: Pope Francis’ WYD message: all are welcome (2:53)
Action: Parish Accessibility Survey
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
September 27, 2023
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Edition No. 2Reflection: Belonging: Reconnecting America's Loneliest Generation (44:55)
Action: 3 Easy Practices: W+B on Social Media (English|Spanish)
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
October 4, 2023
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Edition No. 3Reflection: young adults hesitate to be active in their parish (2021 CARA Report)
Action: popular resources for starting small groups in your community
See the full email here. Don't miss out on fall's favorite cookie: Cinnamon Chip Apple.
October 11, 2023
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Edition No. 4Reflection: quote from St. Mother Teresa
Action: invite others to join the weekly email group to garner greater involvement
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
October 18, 2023
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Edition No. 5Reflection: How to Talk to People: The Infrastructure of Community (Podcast)
Action: this site has dozens of webinars on topics relevant to W+B. Don't hesitate to pass these along.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
October 25, 2023
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Edition No. 6Reflection: Towards Full Presence media kit (more details in the pdf email below)
Action: the Grotto Network partner portal has tons of resources for social media (e.g. Mother's Day, finances, mental health)
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
October 31, 2023
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Edition No. 7Reflection: TEDx Talk: How to use others' feedback to learn and grow (19:28)
Action: a survey can help gauge how we are doing. Check out the survey created by St. Alphonsus (Mount Pleasant).
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
November 8, 2023
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Edition No. 8
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Edition No. 9Reflection: this quote from Lumen Fidei is a reminder that the eyes of faith see with the eyes of Jesus. (English | Spanish).
Action: a letter to welcome newcomers can go a long way. Check out this example.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
November 22, 2023
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Edition No. 10Reflection: this small group video resource, Mysteries of the Rosary, is free and would be great for the Advent/Christmas seasons.
Action: taking stock of the target audience of events is important. Here's a tool.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
November 29, 2023
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Edition No. 11Reflection: with the October Synod behind us, this podcast does a deep dive to explain key events around the historic gathering.
Action: this is an example worksheet of what we shared last week.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
December 6, 2023
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Edition No. 12Reflection: the summarizes the gathering, Ministry on the Margins: Accompanying sexual and gender minorities.
Action: want to see video of the gathering? email [email protected]
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
December 13, 2023
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Edition No. 13Reflection: we are 6 months into the year. The prayer, Prohpets of a Future Not Our Own seems timely (English | Spanish)
Action: this survey is to check in on how things are going.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
December 20, 2023
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Edition No. 14Reflection: SMART goals have focus and direction. Here's a brief video explainer.
Action: #VoicesofDioDav is a space for people to share their story. Learn more and share your story here.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
January 3, 2024
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Edition No. 15Reflection: Pope Francis' Christmas address too the Roman Curia.
Action: Ash Wednesday is a chance to welcome newcomers. Eg: St. Anthony's mailed a letter + cards to every household.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
January 10, 2024
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Edition No. 16Reflection: these books migh tbe worth a read: Humble Inquiry and Conversational Intelligence.
Action: short version of the accessability survey (English | Spanish)
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
January 17, 2024
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Edition No. 17Reflection: by Fr. Richard Rohr on teh balance betwen action and contemplation
Action: invite someone to a one-on-one conversation about their experiences of belonging and unbelonging in the Church.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
January 24, 2024
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Edition No. 18Reflection: the Apostolic Letter “Aperuit illis,” on the Sunday of the Word of God.
Action: Dr. Mattew Coomber spoke on the topic of hospitality in the Bible. Here is the video of his presentation.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
January 31, 2024
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Edition No. 19Reflection: articles on our Catholic schools:Action: Springtide report on belonging in Catholic schools.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
February 7, 2024
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Edition No. 20Reflection: this 1-pager contrasts dialogue and debate. How do we engage others?Action: check-in with other leaders:
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
February 14, 2024
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Edition No. 21Reflection: the Voices of Young People Podcast explores the lives of 13-25 year olds.Action: download this shareable graphic quote from Pope Francis. Feel free to use it however you see fit.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
February 21, 2024
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Edition No. 22Reflection: this hospitality reflection is good for individuals or groups.Action: invite parish and school leaders into conversation about the above reflection. Attend to barriers to belonging and how to overcome those barriers.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
February 28, 2024
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Edition No. 23Reflection: this welcoming and belonging prayer was used at the Synodal Summit on June 17th.Action: upack this video with a group: A listening Church in a Divided Nation, with Cardinal Wilton Gregory.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
March 6, 2024
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Edition No. 24Reflection: this reflection from Living Faith is a reminder to lead our efforts with joy.Action: this article names the value of small groups. Here are some resources and the Emmaus Group materials.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
March 13, 2024
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Edition No. 25Reflection: this article about faith and young people focuses on the school setting, but applies to the parish as well.Action: this initiative is worth checking out: Future of Faith: Sacred Tools for Courageous Connection.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
March 20, 2024
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Edition No. 26Reflection: this message from the Pope to young people models a joy to share.Action: join the April 9th webinar, Belonging before Believing: How to unlock the power of radical hospitality.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
March 27, 2024
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Edition No. 27Reflection: this webpage, incarnationiseverywhere.com, taps into the Catholic sacramental imagination.Action: invite others to co-work in your effort of welcoming and belonging. Who else should be involved?
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
April 3, 2024
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Edition No. 28Reflection: the Vatican document on human dignity was published on Monday. Check out the document here.Action: while secular, the Four Truths has practical application for dialogue and inviting deeper understanding.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
April 10, 2024
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Edition No. 29Reflection: division in the Christian family inhibits our mission to evangelize. Through W+B we can help nurture unity.Action: webinar: Belonging before Believing: How to unlock the power of radical hospitality.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
April 24, 2024
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Edition No. 30Reflection: April 29th was the feast of St. Catherine of Sienna. Her articulation of divine mercy can energize how we image who is welcome in the Church.
Action: webinar: Civilize It: Unifying a Divided Church.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
May 1, 2024
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Edition No. 31Reflection: I hope these are good fodder for conversation:
Action: consider utilizing this example pew card or a bulletin insert.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
May 8, 2024
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Edition No. 32Reflection: Sunday was the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This poem seems apt for reflection
Action: we held the Q4 Zoom call recently. If you would like them for reference, here are the slides.
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
May 29, 2024
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Edition No. 33Reflection: a video interview with the Surgeon General on loneliness and isolation.
Action: as this year comes to a close, make time for conversation: did your hopes come to fruition? Is there more to be done? What might be helpful next steps?
For the Good News Corner, and the full email, download the PDF here.
June 6, 2024
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