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 Suggestions for Parish/Local Group Meetings

• Basic outline
  
• Suggested topics
• Materials from WFF

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Basic outline for meeting:

1. Begin with prayer: Rosary (mysteries of the day), or prayer from the Daily Office, or a Novena, such as the Novena for the Protection of the Unborn. (This usually takes about 15 minutes, after all have assembled and met one another.)

2. Introduce topic for discussion, distribute materials. (Permission is granted to download and print out material from this web site for this purpose. The one who leads the discussion should review the materials in advance, and prepare brief remarks to open the conversation -- focusing on key points of the document to be discussed. Paper and pencils for note-taking should be provided for all.)

3. All members of the group review the materials. The first 20-30 minutes could be alternately reading aloud from the text(s) provided. (Make notes for questions and further discussion.)

4. Each person in the group is invited to contribute comments or questions for general conversation. Valuable insights and exchange of ideas can come from this conversation. Allow at least 30-40 minutes.

5. Conclude discussion with prayer intentions from members of the group; the Prayer to Saint Michael; the Memorare; the Lord's Prayer, or another suitable prayer.

6. Decide on date, place, topic and leader for next meeting.

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Suggested topics for study:

1. Pope John Paul II's key encyclical, Evanelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), we suggest, would be a very good beginning for serious study of Church teachings on the spectrum of life issues. The complete encyclical, dated March 25, 1995, may be downloaded from our website. In addition, we have prepared a study guide for this encyclical.

2. In planning a series of local meetings, it may be useful to review a plan prepared by the Pontifical Council for the Family for the international meeting with families in Manila in January 2003.. CLICK HERE.

3. We strongly advise in-depth study of Familiaris Consortio, the 1980 apostolic exhortation of Pope John Paul II, along with the 1983 Charter of the Rights of the Family. This document contains fundamental Catholic teaching on the meaning of family, the relationships and responsibilities within the family and of the family with the Church and the world. Women for Faith & Family regards these as basic to a full understanding of the Christian family.

Furthermore, Familiaris Consortio was expressly written to families, and the Holy Father intended that it should be read by them, not just by theologians or other "experts". Yet there has appeared an entirely new generation of Catholic families since it was originally written. It is important that young families benefit from this invaluable teaching.

Additional information on Familiaris Consortio is available in the Church Documents section of this web site; and from the WFF office, on request.

See Helen Hull Hitchcock's article "Familiaris Consortio - on the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World", November 2001.

4. The Catechism of the Catholic Church should be a constant reference and resource for all members of the discussion group. (Link to Catechism on Links Page).

5. The Bible should be available at every meeting for reference (each member can bring her own copy). We very strongly recommend the Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition [RSV-CE], as the most accurate of all the contemporary English translations. (Go to Ignatius Press or Midwest Theological Forum on our Links page to order copies of the RSV-CE Bible).

6. Other papal documents that are particulary important to study are Pope John Paul II's 1988 Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women), and Pope Paul VI's 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae -- perhaps the most controversial document in recent Church history, but one that is rarely actually read.

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Materials available from WFF:

We will gladly provide materials for your group (prayer cards, Novena leaflets, copies of the Affirmation for Catholic Women, Voices, Evangelium Vitae Study Guide, etc. See catalog page.) We will be happy to supply enough introductory packets for each member of your group. Donations to cover costs are welcome but not required.

Permission is granted to download and reproduce information from this web site as study materials, for your group. (We ask that you acknowledge the source.)

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WFF is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.