Why join a small group?

Small groups give us a place to:

• Find friends who can encourage us in our faith.
• Ask questions and hear different perspectives.
• Connect the Sunday Gospel with everyday life.
• Share our joys, challenges, and prayer intentions.
• Support one another during difficult seasons.
• Grow as followers of Jesus Christ.

A large parish can sometimes feel anonymous. Small groups help make the
parish feel smaller by giving us a circle of people who know us, care
about us, and walk alongside us.

What can I expect?

The fall program will run for eight weeks beginning in early October 2026.

Groups will meet once a week for approximately 75 to 90 minutes. Depending
on the group, meetings may take place in a parishioner’s home, at the
church, in a coffee shop or other community location, or online.

A typical meeting will include:

1. Time to gather and connect over snacks.
2. An opening prayer.
3. A short reflection based on the Sunday Gospel and homily.
4. Guided group discussion.
5. Personal prayer intentions and a closing prayer.

All groups will follow the same weekly theme. This helps us remain one
parish sharing one message while allowing each group to develop its own
relationships and character.

Our small-group “LIPJSSS” commitments

We want every group to be a safe, welcoming, and encouraging place.
Participants will be asked to make seven simple commitments:

Listen

Give each person your full attention and seek to understand their experience.

Interrupt no one

Allow each person the time and space to finish sharing.

Participate without preaching

Share using stories from your own experience rather than correcting,
lecturing, or telling other what they should do or believe.

Journey without judgement

Welcome people wherever they are in their faith and life journey.

Safeguard what is shared

Personal stories, struggles, and prayer intentions stay within the group.

See every story as sacred

Receive what others share with compassion, respect, and care.

Show up for each other

Make the eight-week series a priority and let your host know when you cannot attend.

Choose a group

Groups will be offered on different days and at different times. Some
will be open to everyone, while others may be organized around a shared
life stage or interest.

For privacy and safety: Exact home addresses will be
provided only to registered participants after their group placement has
been confirmed.

If your preferred group is full, we will help you find another suitable
option or place you on a waiting list.

Interested in hosting a group?

Please indicate your interest through the expression of interest form.
You do not need to be a teacher or theology expert to host a small group.

Hosts welcome participants, guide the provided discussion questions,
encourage respectful participation, lead or invite others to lead prayer,
and communicate basic information to the parish small-group team.

The parish will provide hosts with:

• Training and practical facilitation tips.
• Weekly discussion materials.
• Prayer and hospitality guidance.
• Attendance and communication tools.
• Ongoing support when questions or challenges arise.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to prepare before each meeting?

No. There is no homework or required theological knowledge. Attending
Sunday Mass will help you connect with the weekly conversation, but all
necessary discussion materials will be provided.

Do I have to speak?

You will be invited to participate, but you will not be pressured to
disclose anything you are uncomfortable sharing. Listening is also an
important part of group life.

Can I join if I am new to the parish or returning to the Church?

Yes. Small groups are open to people at different stages of faith,
including those who are exploring, returning, or looking for a stronger
connection with the parish.

Where will groups meet?

Groups may meet in homes, parish spaces, community locations, or online.
The general meeting area will appear in the public group directory. Exact
private addresses will be sent only to registered participants.

How long is the commitment?

The fall experience runs for eight consecutive weeks. We ask participants
to attend as consistently as possible so that trust and friendships can
develop.

Is what I share confidential?

Yes. Every participant will be asked to respect the confidentiality of
personal stories, struggles, and prayer intentions shared within the
group.

How will I know which group I am in?

After registration, the small-group team will review your preferred day,
time, format, location, and group type. You will receive a confirmation,
followed by additional information from your host.

Is there a cost?

There is no cost to participate.

From our pilot to our parish-wide launch

Our initial small-group pilot gave parishioners an opportunity to pray
together, discuss the Sunday message, and build deeper relationships.
Their experiences and feedback are helping us prepare for the parish-wide
fall launch.

We hope small groups will become an important part of life at Star of the
Sea: a place where people are known, supported, and encouraged to grow as
disciples of Jesus.

Ready to take the next step?

Join us for eight weeks this fall and discover how faith can grow through
honest conversation, prayer, friendship, and mutual support.

Register for a Small Group

Questions? Contact Joyce Bott at joyce@bott.ca.