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 | Emmaus - Small Christian Communities | Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults | 
| LIMEX (Loyola Graduate Program - New Orleans) | Catechetical Formation | 
 | Natural Family Planning | Divorced and Separated Catholics | Respect Life Ministry |
| Engaged Couples Retreat | Ministry Formation Calendar |

Emmaus - Small Communities

Small communities include elements of shared prayer, mutual support, reflection, learning, participation in the mission of Jesus. Typically small communities are groups of 8 - 12 persons who gather regularly to read and reflect on scripture, to pray, and to talk about how their lives and their faith come together. They also discern how they are being called to act on their faith in their families, jobs, neighborhoods, and communities.

"One way of renewing parishes ... might be to consider the parish as a community of communities. It seems timely therefore to form eccesial communities and groups of a size that allows for true human relationships." - Ecclesia in America, Par. 41.

"Small Communities are powerful vehicles for adult faith formation, providing opportunities for learning, prayer, mutual support and the shared experience of Christian living in service to Church and society." - Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, US Catholic Bishops

In small communities, "ordinary people connect faith and life regularly." - Fr. Art Baranowski, author, Creating Small Christian Communities

"Small Christian Communities have been an opportunity for members of St. Matthew's parish to grow spiritually as they share their faith journey with one another. They have truly created bonds of long lasting friendships for our faith community." - Mary Ann Dunn, St. Matthew Church, Franklin

"Within our basic communities, people find a safe place to talk about their lives and their faith. Somehow, coming together regularly to reflect strengthens people. It is a mysterious process that I don't really understand, but I have seen its fruits time and time again." - Carolyn Goddard, Christ the King Church, Nashville

"In a parish the size of the Cathedral it is often difficult to experience the power of community. The Emmaus program enables that experience to happen by enabling parishioners to know one another on a more personal basis. As they do, they come to know the Lord in a more personal way and become accountable to one another for growing in their relationships with the Lord." - Fr. Pat Kibby, Cathedral of the Incarnation Parish, Nashville