Community Life Commission

1. Encourage Small Faith Communities (SFC) to meet on a regular basis. The Diocesan Office for Small Faith Communities offers help in forming communities in parishes, training leaders and providing materials.
2. Promote adult faith formation through Small Faith Communities which offer shared study, shared experience and community service.
3. Organize a parish core group to develop and maintain Small Faith Communities.
4. Invite members of Small Faith Communities to explain the value and the blessing that the SFC has been in their journey of faith.
5. Utilize the small communities in your effort to welcome the stranger.
6. Inspire and invite others in the parish to grow spiritually through involvement in a small community.

Diverse Cultures and Gifts:

1. Use parish census surveys to identify gifts and cultural or ethnic diversities and needs.
2. Plan activities and workshops at the parish or deaner level that are designed to help parishioners discern their gifts and discover ways to use them.
3. Encourage participation at liturgies and celebrations that reflect your cultural diversity. These activities should be well planned and express the spirituality of participants.
4. Look for guidance from the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs of the Diocese. This Ministry can help parishioners and the pastoral staffs understand cultural differences and promote ways of creating community among ethnic groups.

Stewardship:

1. Encourage the parish itself to practice good stewardship of all the resources given to it.
2. Develop a parish brochure listing the ministries in which parishioners can become involved.
3. Help people to discern their gifts and talents.
4. Create an annual opportunity for people to commit or re-commit to serve in ministries.
5. Invite new parishioners to become involved in ministries.
6. Provide a thank you or recognition event for those who give their time.
7. Establish on-going stewardship education for all ages.
8. Make stewardship a way of life.