The 3 Conversations will feature a series of simple faith-sharing conversations designed to help every member of our parish grow in community and discipleship. We wish to build a culture of discipleship in our parish, and we do that by investing in the faith lives of one another. We cannot help each other grow in our faith lives unless we share our stories and our struggles.
Small groups of no more than 8 participants will meet once a week for three weeks to answer a simple question about their experience of the faith. One or two facilitators will help lead the conversation. Each participant will have time to answer the question.
We do not want to share the questions before the meetings, because we want the answers to be spontaneous and not prepared and polished. The goal is not to give the “perfect answer” but an honest answer. Remember these are not catechical or theological questions, they are questions about your own experience of God. There are no wrong answers.
First, these groups are a parish wide activity. We hope that every parishioner will have the chance to participate at least once. Second, they are a great opportunity to build community. You get a chance to share your story of faith and hear other faith stories. Third, they will help you to grow and deepen your own faith. Fourth, you will become more comfortable sharing your faith with others, both inside and outside of the church community.
Absolutely, the 3 conversations are not meant to be a one-time experience. The 3 conversations are a training to help us become more comfortable sharing our faith. The more times we have the 3 conversations the easier it becomes to have these conversations.
The 3 Conversations only run for 3 weeks and there is no obligation to continue with your group after the final meeting. However, if you wish to continue meeting as a group you are more than welcome to do so. You can also gather friends and fellow parishoners you know and go through the 3 conversations with them. You are also welcome to join future 3 Conversation groups organized by the parish as a participant or as a facilator.
The goal is to build a culture of discipleship, where we walk with each other in our journey of faith. We hope that by practicing conversations like these one day all parishioners will be able to spontaneously have faith-based conversations. We also hope to bring this new confidence of faith out into our greater community and share the gospel with our friends and neighbors.