|
Office of Parish Life: SCC Resource Manual 2005 - Faith-Sharing References
FAITH-SHARING REFERENCES
With keyword identifiers
Starting Faith-Sharing Groups
500. Forming a Small Christian Community: A Personal Journey. Currier, Richard and Frances Gram. The authors invite the uninitiated to the transforming experience of journeying in a SCC. Available from Twenty-Third Publications at 800-232-5533 or visit their website at www.twentythirdpublications.com.
501. Creating Small Christian Communities: Minimum Structure, Maximum Life. Darling, Barbara and Jack Ventura, SM. This book is for anyone who wants to begin faith-sharing communities – whether parish-based or not – or who seeks a refresher on the basics of SCCs. The authors combine a vision for SCCs, both local and global, with practical steps from the initial discernment to designing your own group or groups. One of the best current bibliographies you can find is included. Available from Good Ground Press at 800-232-5533 or visit their website at www.goodgroundpress.com.
502. Small Christian Communities (cassette series), Aridas, Rev. Chris, Steve Benthal, and John J. Boucher. CRS, PO Box 2151, Brentwood, NY 11717, 631-952-7517, Email jbouch@dioceseoftrenton.org. This audio series shows how to create evangelistic SCCs in a parish or region. The series includes training on vision, purpose, mechanics, format, and discipleship as well as leadership and in-service for SCC leaders. Also available are single tapes with three or four fifteen-twenty minute teachings on over one hundred topics in the Christian life for use in SCC gatherings.
Discernment of SCC Maturity
503. Getting a Grip on Your Group. Darling, Barbara. Drawing upon her many years of national leadership at Buena Vista and experience in SCCs around the world, Darling helps SCC members discern their growth and set priorities to become one in heart and mind and to covenant with one another. Available from Good Ground Press at 800-232-5533 or visit their website at www.goodgroundpress.com.
504. What Kind of a Small Community Are You? A Guide for Discernment and Evaluation. Ciangio, Donna, P. The title says it all. Available from the NPLC at 212-431-7825 or Email smallcommunities@nplc.org.
Deepening the Understanding of Faith-Sharing
505. Mission of Small Christian Communities. Lee, Bernard J. and Michael A. Cowan. The authors, rich in experience with SCCs, offer reflections on the importance and influence of these communities in the Church today. They propose a mode of doing theology within SCCs that is marked by conversation and active participation by all, a practical theology where people reflect on their whole lives, personal and social, in light of the Christian faith. Available from Paulist Press at 800-218-1903 or visit their website at www.paulistpress.com.
See also:
Lee & Cowan. Dangerous Memories. Kansas City, MO: Sheed & Ward, 1966.
Lee & Cowan. Conversation, Risk and Conversion: The Inner and Public Life of Small Christian Communities. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1997.
Lee & Cowan. Gathered and Sent: The Mission of Small Church Communities Today. Mahway, NJ: Paulist Press, 2003.
Lee, SM, Bernard J. and William V. D’Antonio. The Catholic Experience of Small Christian Community. Mahway, NJ: Paulist Press, 2000.
Veiling, Terry, A. Small Christian Communities: Long Ago and Once Again – A Church Becoming. Loyola University Press, 2001. (This pamphlet is primarily an abridgement of Bernard Lee and William D’Antoinio’s The Catholic Experience of Small Christian Community.
Veiling, Terry, A. Living in the Margins: Intentional Communities and the Art of Interpretation. Crossroad/Herder, 1996.
Handbooks on Facilitating
506. Facilitating for Growth: A Guide for Scripture Groups and Small Christian Communities. Fleischer, Barbara J. This handbook presents the theory of facilitating and then provides workshop outlines for formal presentations. Available from the Liturgical Press at 800-558-5450 or visit their website at www.litpress.org.
507. Facilitating a Small Group. Ciangio, Donna P. This approach is not as comprehensive as the handbook above. Available from the NPLC at 212-431-7825 or visit their website at www.nplc.org.
Music
508. Music for Small Christian Communities. This CD collection (CD-541) of thirty-six songs with a song book (G5971M) meets the varied needs of small community events. There are songs for welcome, good-bye, table blessings, praise and worship, covenant rituals, proclamation of the word, sharing, sending forth, and more. Many songs have accompanying Spanish lyrics. Artists include Marty Haugen, David Kaufmann, Jamie Cortez, Kate Cuddy, and Lori True. To order call GIA Publications at 800-442-1358 or visit their website at www.giamusic.com.
Leadership
509. The Leadership Book. Keating, Charles J. This is the classic book on leadership addressing key issues with a rich religious and spiritual understanding. Available through Paulist Press at 800-218-1903 or visit their website www.paulistpress.com.
International Perspectives on SCCs
510. An Experience of World Church in Miniature: A Report on the International Consultation on Small Christian Communities. Moriarty, SM, Robert K. This report is available through the Pastoral Department for Small Christian Communities. Call 860-243-9642 or visit their website at www.sccquest.org.
Discipleship
511. A Presence that Disturbs: A Call to Radical Discipleship. Gittens, Anthony J. The author presents a challenging look at the choices essential to a revitalized discipleship and Church. Available from Liguori/Triumph at 800-325-9521 or visit their website at www.liguori.org.
Theological Reflection
512. Theological Reflection: Connecting Faith and Life. Gros, Joye, OP. The skill of theological reflection is compared to the wonders of snorkeling and reveals the beauty found in the heritage of the Church. Ultimately, it is what happens when faith-sharing occurs and deepens. Available from Loyola Press at 800-621-1008 or visit their website at www.loyolapress.org.
Periodicals and Newsletters Offering Articles on Small Christian Communities
513. The publications listed below offer informative articles on a wide spectrum of issues related to SCCs. The frequency of such articles varies from monthly to annual dedicated issues.
- Today’s Parish (annual) 800-321-0411
- CHURCH (periodically) 212-431-7825
- Buena Vista Ink (six issues a year) 304-477-0180
- Good Ground Press (website) www.goodgroundpress.com
- Small Group Network (website) www.smallgroups.com
Introduction to Lectio Divina
514. His Face Shone Like the Sun: Encountering the Transfigured Christ in Scripture. Wild, Robert. Alba House, 1986. (Madonna House at 800-703-7110 is the source for this publication which may now be out of print.) Fr. Wild offers an extended reflection on the Word of God while simultaneously teaching the traditional principles of lectio divina. Drawing upon the biblical account of the Transfiguration of Christ, Fr. Wild leads us into a face-to-face encounter with Christ and transformation through His Word. The book could be used as a faith-sharing guide if the facilitator developed appropriate questions. (To order this book which now may be out of print call Madonna House at 800-703-7110.)
Centering (Contemplative) Prayer
515. Open Mind, Open Heart. Keating, Thomas. Fr. Keating, the founder of the contemporary centering prayer movement, initiates the reader into a deep, living relationship with God. Available from the Continuum International Publishing Group at 212-953-5858 or visit their website at www.continuumbooks.com.
Principles and Habits of Prayer
516. Paths of Prayer. Morneau, Robert F. Bishop Morneau outlines the principles of prayer, habits of prayerful people, a practical approach to prayer, and advice of overcoming obstacles to prayer. Available from the St. Anthony Messenger Press at 800-488-0488 or visit their website at www.americancatholic.org.
Core Teachings of Christ
517. Jesus’ Plan for a New World: The Sermon on the Mount. Rohr, Richard with John Bookser Feister. The authors prepare the reader to hear and respond to the challenges of the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Available from the St. Anthony Messenger Press at 800-488-0488 or visit their website at www.americancatholic.org.
Vatican Council II
518. Vatican II in Plain English. Huebsch, Bill. This three-volume series summarizes the documents in an inviting style that opens our minds and hearts to their importance and the atmosphere in which they were written. The set includes: The Constitutions, The Council, and The Decrees and Declarations. It is available from Ave Maria Press at 800-282-1865 or visit their website at www.avemariapress.com.
Catechesis
519. The General Directory for Catechesis in Plain English. Huebsch, Bill. A Summary and Commentary. The official version is rather dense, but Huebsch presents the material in an attractive and inspiring manner that stirs our faith. The catechist is the primary user of this material, but the richness of the General Directory is so foundational to our faith that reading and sharing its contents using the Plain English edition will stir new depths of understanding and possibilities for living and evangelizing in the Catholic tradition. A brief study-guide is included. To order call Twenty-Third Publications at 800-232-5533 or visit their website at www.twentythirdpublications.com.
520. Evangelizing Catechesis: New Vision – New Directions offers two sets of documents for a richer reflection and study of the General Directory for Catechesis. The first set begins with Evangelization and the Catechist which is probably sufficient for most people. This publication could be used independent of the General Directory but consider using the Plain English edition for the sheer joy of enriching one’s faith. The package is available through the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership by calling 202-636-3826 or visit their website at www.nccl.org.
Adult Faith Formation
521. Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us is the USCCB’s Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation was designed primarily for parishes and dioceses but is adaptable for SCCs and small groups. The Leader’s Guide includes the complete pastoral plan and offers a five-session process suitable for faith-sharing. You may want to explore with other parish members who have studied the document alternative ways of implementing the message of the plan into the life of the parish. The Leader’s Guide (#5-342) is available through the USCCB. Group members need only purchase a copy of the pastoral plan. Visit the USCCB website at www.usccb.org.
National Alliance of Parishes Restructuring into Communities
522. Creating Small Church Communities: A Plan for Restructuring the Parish and Renewing Catholic Life, 3rd Edition, 1996. Baranowski, Arthur R. This is the seminal book on Fr. Baranowski’s approach. His language has evolved over the years. The process now works to form parishes into “Small Church Communities,” recognizing that they are more than prayer, scripture-study, and support or mission groups. Other publications include: Come As You Are: A Small Group Program for Everyday Living; Praying as You Are and Faith-Sharing for Small Christian Communities. Several videos are also available including: 20/20 Vision for the Parish (an introductory video), Creating Small Faith Communities, and Faith-Sharing for Small Church Communities. Available from St. Anthony Messenger Press at 800-488-0488 or at their website at www.americancatholic.org.
RENEW International
523. Small Christian Communities: A Vision of Hope for the 21st Century. Kleissler, Thomas A., Sr. Mary C. McGuinness, and Margo A. LeBert. Revised and Updated Version. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1997. Msgr. Kleissler is the founder with Fr. Tom Ivory, and Director of RENEW International. The book is foundational to the RENEW process and serves as a tutorial for establishing and moving faith-sharing groups to becoming Small Christian Communities. The notes and bibliography are replete with relevant resources. Every parish and Core Community Coordinator should have a copy of this book. This revised edition was prepared for the RENEW 2000 process. For more information or copies call 908-769-5400 or visit their website at www.renewintl.org.
Catholic Social Teaching
524. A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching. McKenna, Kevin F. In this book Fr. McKenna summarizes the seven major social teachings of the Church and offers practical suggestions on implementation. The book includes questions for reflection, a homily guide, penance service, and an excellent bibliography. Available from Ave Maria Press at 800-282-1865 or visit their website at www.avemariapress.com.
United States Council of Catholic Bishops
525. United States Council of Catholic Bishops. Many pertinent publications are available from the United States Council of Catholic Bishops in Washington, DC. The website is: www.usccb.org.
- Called and Gifted: The American Catholic Laity, 1980
- The Parish: A People, A Mission, A Structure, 1981
- Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan & Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the Unites States, 1993
- Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium, 1995
- The Church in America, 1999
- Communion and Mission, 1995
- Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice, 1998
- Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Formation in the
United States, 1999
Contact Us:
Office of Parish Life
Small Christian Community Ministry
Coordinator: Bob Bursley
609-406-7400 ext. 5623
Fax: 609-406-7415
rbursl@dioceseoftrenton.org
|
