Contact: Catzel LaVecchia, Director of Lifelong Learning – catzel@churchofpresentation.org

A Small Christian Community (SCC) is a small group that gathers to reflect on their lives in the light of the Gospel and to share their faith through prayer, friendship and service. Within the Catholic faith tradition, small Christian faith-sharing groups exist to nurture missionary discipleship by bringing the Gospel into daily life through Scripture, prayer, sacramental awareness, and communal discernment. Rooted in the life of the Trinity and modeled on the early Christian communities described in the Acts of the Apostles, these groups help Catholics deepen their relationship with Christ and with one another, while remaining fully connected to the sacramental, pastoral, and missionary life of the parish.

Small Christian Communities are grounded in key Catholic theological and ecclesial principles:

• Scripture and Tradition – Faith is shared through the Word of God as received and interpreted within the Church
• Sacramental Life – Participation in the Eucharist and the sacraments remains central; SCCs flow from and return to the Sunday Mass
• Ecclesiology of Communion – Reflecting the teaching of Vatican II, the Church is understood as the People of God, journeying together
• Co-Responsibility of the Baptized – Every baptized person is called to discipleship, leadership, and mission
• Synodality – SCCs embody listening, dialogue, discernment, and shared decision-making

Groups of 6-12 people who gather regularly in homes or church spaces to:

• Reflect prayerfully on Sacred Scripture, especially the Sunday Gospel (or using a particular guide on a topic)
• Practice Lectio Divina and other forms of communal prayer
• Share life experiences in light of faith
• Support one another in living the sacramental life of the Church
• Discern how they are called to serve and witness to Christ in the world
• Encourage personal openness, mutual support, and the development of deep, trusting relationships among members.

These communities do not replace the parish; rather, they extend the parish into homes and daily life, strengthening communion and participation.

We hope our Catholic Small Christian Communities lead to:

• Catholic Christians who are more spiritually mature and theologically grounded
• Stronger participation in the Eucharist and parish life
• Communities of mutual care, accompaniment, and accountability
• Greater commitment to works of mercy, justice, and evangelization
• A parish culture shaped by communion rather than consumption

Our SCC Core Team is compiling a list of resources for Small Groups. Please let Catzel know if you are a part of a group so we have a record.

During certain seasons we also offer a guided faith-sharing series that is open to all. Watch for details in the bulletin!