PART III:
Paladin Handbook
Prayer & Share
More Fellowship & Support
The Paladin small church community discussion series provide high-quality ongoing formation and fellowship opportunities for the average Catholic. However, two other options can complement and support the Paladin SCC discussion series and the overall movement. These are the Prayer & Share Meetings and the Prayer & Share Mini-Retreats.
Prayer & Share Meetings
Many members of Paladin small church communities will want to meet outside the two annual discussion series and possible clan meals. These additional gatherings would take place during summer and winter, making them less frequent and with lower expectations. This is where the Prayer & Share Meeting fits in.
The Prayer & Share meetings offer many additional opportunities for fellowship and sharing. They provide chances to connect even when the series isn’t running. They present space for the Spirit to work through deeper personal sharing. And they give guests a taste of community life.
The leader or assistant leader still conducts the Prayer & Share Meeting; however, anyone can present the material. The presenter will share their material and explain why it is meaningful to them. Then, they will open the floor for discussion. The material for the Prayer & Share meeting is not part of a discussion series; it is a single, self-contained presentation given on the evening of the meeting. This means no homework or other preparation is necessary. Overall, the meeting will follow the same general outline as a discussion series meeting, although the discussion might be shorter. Because these presentations are brief (5-15 minutes), you might want to include two per meeting, preferably from two different members. While the material may often include a personal witness, this should not be the sole focus of the presentation. The group shares reflections on a topic; it does not primarily discuss biographical accounts. Also, you can expect these discussions to be somewhat less focused than those of a discussion series; that is perfectly fine.
A Prayer & Share Meeting may also involve reading and discussing the Sunday gospel reading. This is the simplest option; however, an impromptu Bible study may not offer much depth. Whoever leads it should at least read a biblical commentary alongside it.
While members are expected to attend all meetings in a discussion series, the expectation for attending Prayer & Share Meetings is much lower. Since these are not part of a series, missing a meeting or attending less often has less impact. The group understands that these meetings are optional for those who can attend. They also provide a good opportunity to invite prospective members to come and see what a Paladin small church community is all about. These low-pressure, one-night gatherings are one of the best on-ramps for seekers or lukewarm Catholics.
Not a Substitute for Discussion Series
Many people will appreciate the lighter commitment to the Prayer & Share Meetings. They offer nice breaks, especially during busier times of the year. However, they are not a substitute for the two annual discussion series.
The weekly commitment to the discussion series helps build community. It also ensures that topics are thoroughly covered within a well-organized, comprehensive program. The Prayer & Share Meetings are a welcome addition to the discussion series; however, they can never replace them.
Prayer & Share Mini-Retreats
Prayer & Share Mini-Retreats offer opportunities to share personal testimonies and invite individuals to small church communities. These one-day retreats focus on personal stories centered around themes of “Perceiving the Journey to God,” “Progressing on the Journey to God,” and “Support and Fellowship on the Journey.” These three testimonies about what Christ has done in the presenters’ lives are inspiring; sharing personal stories has always been a powerful way to evangelize. They make the Journey to God real and personal—important and attainable. They bring healing and deepen community. After each testimony, retreatants spend time in quiet prayer and reflection, then discuss the topic in small groups of 4-5. Small group leaders provide discussion questions to help participants apply the topics to their lives.
The “Perceiving the Journey to God” testimony centers on how the speaker came to realize that life is truly a Journey to God and that this journey is the primary purpose of their life. They share their encounter with Christ and their subsequent journey with Him. They emphasize that this Journey to God is intended for everyone.
The “Progressing on the Journey to God” testimony focuses on religious practices and devotions that helped the presenter advance on the Journey. They share how Christ touched them through specific devotions, such as Mass, a special prayer time, a daily Rosary, contemplative prayer, a particular book, and so forth.
The “Support and Fellowship on the Journey” testimony highlights how small groups, mentors, and other faithful Catholics have influenced their Journey to God. This testimony concludes by sharing how they have been helped by their Paladin small church community—especially the support and fellowship it offers.
These three testimonies offer an insightful and inspiring overview of the Journey to God. The “Perceiving the Journey to God” testimony boldly proclaims what our encounter with Christ calls us to become. The “Progressing on the Journey to God” testimony examines the religious practices and devotions that help us advance along the Journey. The “Support and Fellowship on the Journey” testimony demonstrates that we genuinely need help along the way and outlines what that help might look like. It especially celebrates the support and fellowship found in Paladin small church communities.
Manageable Retreats
These one-day retreats are easier to attend than longer retreats like Cursillo weekends. They attract participants from the parish and nearby areas. No overnight stay is needed, and only a light lunch is served.
Of course, you’ll need presenters, small group leaders, and other support. The mini-retreat will likely involve cooperation among three or more small church communities, so it’s not something your groups will tackle immediately. Later, you might consider offering to lead a mini-retreat at a neighboring parish or at least assist with one. The Prayer & Share Mini-Retreat is one of our newer concepts. In the future, we will develop more detailed guidelines and resources.
Ultimately, we can never offer too many opportunities for people to pray together and share their faith. Of course, these opportunities build on and reinforce each other. All these efforts help us grow as living, growing disciples and foster strong bonds of fellowship and support. They all have ordinary believers helping each other journey steadily toward God.
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And this concludes the Paladin handbook for small church communities. We hope this handbook will guide and bless you as you form and lead your Paladin SCC. Once again, many of these guidelines should not be followed too rigidly, but you should also carefully discern any deviations from them. Most of our work—yours and mine—is a work in progress. In fact, this book itself is a work in progress and will likely be revised and expanded as needed.
The next part of the book will cover the Paladin discussion series. “Chapter 12: Our Approach” will explain how they work, the order in which topics should be addressed, and more. This is a must-read for every leader. Chapters 13 and 14 will explain how to develop a Paladin discussion series. You may hold off on reading these until you build your own discussion series.
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