Description: An evening prayer service focused on desolation and consolation, followed by a social.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: Being planning several weeks in advance to reserve a space and publicize. Depending on the level of detail you want to present about the topic and your familiarity with the topic, you will need at least a few hours of planning time.
- Volunteers Needed: Recruit volunteers to help welcome people during the evening event. You will also need a small group leader for each group. It is helpful if these leaders are trained in small group facilitation.
- Supplies: Food and drinks for the social, as well as paper products.
- Reserve the Space: Reserve a room with enough round tables to accommodate your small groups. Make the space reflective and prayerful by adding a prayer table or other visual aids.
- Ideal Group Size: Five to 50.
- Who is this for? Young adults in their 20s and 30s, single or married.
- When is a good time for this? Go with what works for your ministry. For some, after Mass on a Sunday works best. For others, a weeknight is a better fit for the schedule. The event typically lasts about two hours, including social time.
- Publicize the Program:
- Personal invitations to leaders, RCIA, Baptismal Prep, Religious Education Catechists, Marriage Prep, and those at any young adult gathering.
- Parish Bulletins: Young adults will travel distances if they perceive the event as high value, so do not be afraid to publish in bulletins a half hour or 45 minutes away from the location.
- Social Media: Facebook groups, Twitter, etc. Make sure that these invitations are also made in a personal way through messages and tags.
Prayer for Program Planner: Holy Spirit, enter into my planning process and help me to see your blessings throughout my day in all I see and in all I do. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Community Building: Community building takes place in the small group conversations as well as the social time before or after the program.
