Forming Community at Family Catechesis Gatherings

In a culture that emphasizes individualism, we do families a favor by gathering regularly for family catechesis sessions as a community of faith. It is a healthy reminder that none of us is an island and that relationships and hospitality are critical components of healthy living and a healthy society. Let’s take a look at some of the ways we engage parents and families at family catechesis sessions in order to build a sense of community.

What Will They Be Doing?

One of the mistakes that catechists sometimes make when planning a session is to focus solely on what they as catechists will be doing and saying. For example, “Today, I’ll be covering the season of Advent and the theme of hope.” That’s all well and good; however, it begs the question, “What will the participants be doing?” Our job as facilitators of family catechesis gatherings is to engage our participants, namely parents. Unless we identify specific tasks, or learning outcomes, that we will invite parents to engage in, we run the risk of turning them into passive spectators rather than active participants in the faith formation process. From the moment families arrive until the moment they leave, it is crucial that we engage them.

Allow Time for Socializing

We should never assume that the people who gather for family catechesis sessions know one another. For many, the opening session will be their first time at a parish activity, so anxiety levels may be high for some. That’s why, as soon as families begin arriving in the gathering space, it is important that parish staff and other volunteers are present to greet people and welcome them, pointing them to where they can hang up coats and get something to eat and drink. Be sure to build in time for socializing before the actual session begins so that participants can begin to feel at ease in the learning space. Use this time to introduce people to one another so that names can be learned and relationships can be formed. Consider name tags for at least the first few sessions.

Lead an Icebreaker

Icebreaker activities are more than silly time-wasters. In fact, effective icebreakers help people feel more comfortable in the learning setting, enable participants to interact in a meaningful way, and help introduce the theme of the session. Family catechesis programs such as Finding God and Christ Our Life include intergenerational icebreaker activities, because children are often less inhibited about such activities, and adults can get to know one another through the interaction of the children. 

Here is one example of a meaningful icebreaker. To introduce a session on how the Eucharist sustains us, begin by asking children and parents to brainstorm what they would need to take with them to sustain themselves on a long hike. Their lists will include things such as water, sunscreen, snacks, good shoes and socks, a cap, and a raincoat. Talk about how we need to sustain ourselves on any long journey, and explain that on our spiritual journey through life, we are sustained by Jesus Christ, especially in the Eucharist, which we receive at Mass.

Table Discussions 

When it comes to adult learning, keep in mind that adults are self-directed. They desire ownership of their learning experiences, expect practical, real-life connections to all learning, and usually prefer experiential learning, which includes engaging with one another in meaningful conversation and action. This means that the facilitator should not be doing all the talking! In fact, it is not hyperbole to state that table discussions are non-negotiable when it comes to family catechesis sessions for adults. 

The key to encouraging participation in table discussions is to be sure that the questions or tasks are non-threatening. Most people are not ready to bare their souls to their neighbors. Here are two examples of effective questions or topics for table discussion that people will not find threatening:

• For a session on Catholic identity, invite parents to imagine they have been hired by a Hollywood director as a creative consultant to make recommendations for how to make a movie “more Catholic.” In particular, they are to brainstorm and recommend how to make the home of the main characters, a Catholic family, look more Catholic as well as how to include words and actions that reveal their Catholic identity. Invite participants to report on their brainstorming, and then use their examples to delve deeper into characteristics of Catholic identity.
• For a session on understanding the Mass, invite parents to talk at their tables about their earliest memories of going to Mass, who it was that took them and taught them about the Mass, and what they want their children to learn about the Mass. 

As you can see, these questions and activities are non-threatening, since they do not require a great amount of self-disclosure. As folks become more comfortable with one another, however, they will often engage in deeper self-disclosure, which further solidifies the bond that is being built as a community of faith. 

More Socializing

Finally, it is not necessary for folks to disappear immediately at the end of the family catechesis session. Provide some time for further refreshments and socializing. Children will often use this time to sneak another snack and begin to create games with their newfound friends, while adults enjoy another cup of coffee and talk to their peers about one or more of the millions of things, big or small, that characterize family life.