You can view Fr. Marc's presentation by clicking here.

There is something profoundly moving about images of Catholics from around the world finding creative ways to practice their faith during the coronavirus pandemic. It calls to mind the early days of Christianity, before the institutionalization of the church, when organized worship often took place in the home. Read more here.

I am convinced that we have been given this moment, as challenging as it is, for our good and God’s glory. Read more here.

More than ever during COVID-19, parents are called to build their domestic church. These simple actions help them answer that call. Read more here.

As parents, it’s our duty to show our children that God is not just an idea. Read more here.

By Hosffman Ospino
Catholics love the family. To be Catholic, one could say, is tantamount to affirming family life in its manifold expressions. We affirm the many good things that happen at the heart of the home as essential to nurture individual lives and to build society. Read more here.

The development of small Christian communities will be part of the overall pastoral direction set by the CPARL Pastoral Plan and the Pastoral Staff. This direction envisions the Catholic Parishes of Arlington as a "community of small communities," centered in the Eucharist and committed to ministry.

The move towards small Christian communities is growing out of the need to meet and sustain our faith and support each other as we shelter in place during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A group of parishioners, along with our pastor Fr. Marc Bishop, will begin to study how our parishes are meeting the challenge of creating a truly supportive community while quarantined and beyond.

"From antiquity, Christians have referred to the family as a domestic church. So did the Second Vatican Council in its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, “Lumen Gentium” (No. 11). The events affecting our lives during this time of pandemic have led many Catholics to reencounter our families. Ironically, many of us do so while asking, what does it mean to be family today? This is a perfect time for catechists of all ages to arise in the context of the home; a time for Gospel-inspired rituals and practices that make God present in the daily life of the family; a time to recognize the face of Christ in every member of our household." --Hosffman Ospino

• Prayer - the element of prayer emphasizes the centrality of God's presence and action in each small Christian community member's life, and in the life of the community itself.
• Study - because SCC are part of the wider Church, they are called to an ever-fuller knowledge and understanding of the Gospel, the Catholic Church and its teaching on faith and morals, and of the relationship of that teaching to the circumstances and issues of their lives. Individuals are encourage to talk freely about God and about life experiences and reflecting on these in the light of Scripture and Tradition.
• Generosity - in a society in which Gospel values are all too frequently ridiculed and rejected, the follower of Christ needs a community which is supportive of these values. The SCC encourages fidelity to the Gospel and also challenges itself and its members to a more profound and authentic commitment to Christian living. 
• Evangelization - authentic Christian communities are, like Jesus, committed to a life of evangelization and mission. As a group and through its individual members, the community will work for the compassion, justice, reconciliation and peace within the group, in the family, in the househould, in the workplace, in the neighborhood, and within the wider society.

• Household Church Communities - Families and individuals willingly choose to be part of a Small Christian Community. This SCC is a group of 3 to 5 households of varying sizes and make-ups, approximately 20 people (adults, youth, and children). These groups commit themselves to a course of discipline under the spiritual leadership of Fr. Marc and guided by a facilitator. This Facilitator, either a couple or individual, will meet with Fr. Marc, and other Facilitators of SCC’s, to be trained in guiding the groups.
• Faith Formation Groups - Groups of 10-12 young people and two adult facilitators meet to discuss and share their lives and the teachings of the Catholic faith. These groups, called Connect Groups, are for all young people of high school age and will meet approximately 16-23 times a year and can last their entire high school career.
• Seasonal Groups - Groups of 8-12 people who meet seasonally. The schedule is six weeks and new groups are formed prior to Lent (early Spring) and prior to Advent (early Fall).
• Ministerial Communities - Groups of 5-12 people who meet to share faith and support each other in their chosen ministry (e.g. Pastoral Council, Faith Formation Community, Liturgical Ministries, etc.). These communities typically stay together for 2-3 years, depending on the ministry commitment.

1. The members will commit to praying the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet once a week as a household.
2. Each household will gather for a meal at least twice a week.
3. The SCC will meet monthly to share a meal and pray a Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet together.
4. The SCC will participate in a monthly formation meeting where a teaching will be shared (this could be a talk from the Pastor or other clergy, a course of study on Formed/Word on Fire or any other program that is approved by the Pastor).
5. The SCC will join each other for Mass once a month, virtually or in person when available.
6. The members will commit to confession every 4 to 6 weeks, when it becomes available.
7. The members are encouraged to attend daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration either as individuals or as a household each week, virtually and in person when available.
8. The SCC will be invited to participate in the good works of the Catholic Collaborative of Arlington and broaden the Corporal Works of Mercy in the community of Arlington and beyond.

• Free Catholic Content for your Small Christian Community!
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  • Go to formed.org/signup
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