I have been yearning to write this post for a while – and was finally motivated this morning when I saw this article: Why Are Catholics Notoriously Bad at Fellowship?
As a young “middle-schooler”, one of my best friends used to say she couldn’t play that night day or evening because she was going to “fellowship”. Sometimes, she would even invite me and I would go. If that never happened, I’m not sure I would have any place for that word in my vocabulary. Even before seeing the above mentioned article, I wondered if Catholics even used that word!
Catholics need fellowship!
Friendship and faith is an awesome combination! Here a some ways that I have encountered faith and fellowship in my spiritual journey:
Combine a Shrine Tour with a Wine Tour
Somewhere near you is a church, monastery or shrine that would be a nice place to visit and pray. Afterwards, head to a local vineyard or winery (want to find one near you – use this website: Closest Winery)
If you would like to visit the Saint Katharine Drexel National Shrine before it closes – or would just like a day of fun, faith and fellowship – join us! There are still some spots open!! Get more information here: You’re Invited: The First Prayer, Wine, Chocolate Retreat! {And Giveaway}
Find a Young Adult Group
The Philadelphia area has a few of these. I found one in my twenties that was about a 40 minute drive from my apartment. I am now aware of one that is much closer – and even though I am not really a “young adult”; these cool younger folks invite me to some of their events, and I never out of place! If you are in the Philly area, check out: Fire of Faith Another one that is starting out in the Philadelphia region is Loving Our Life. This group is about to burst because it is starting groups at all five A Baby’s Breath Pregnancy Centers.
If you can’t find one in your area, consider starting your own! Contact the Philly ones – they are happy to give you tips on how they started!
Start a Rosary and Wine Night
A few friends of mine started one when we were in our 20’s . . . but it was inspired by our friend’s mother who took us to one of her rosary nights. We started these nights because we wanted a place to share our hearts’ troubles, and because it was the last season of Friends and we wanted to watch it together :)We probably did introduce the wine part – but we talk so much at these nights, we barely get done our first glass! Friends ended years ago, but our Rosary nights still keep us connected and make our friendships extra strong. If you are not totally sure about this idea, check out this post! Five Reasons to Start a Rosary Group If you like the idea of combining prayer, wine and chocolate, check out thsi post: How To Throw a “Prayer and Pair” Party! {With a FREE Printable!}How To Throw a “Prayer and Pair” Party! {With a FREE Printable!}
Throw a Prayer Journaling Party!
Prayer journaling can be an extremely intimate and personal activity – but it also can combine adult coloring with prayer and meditation. I recently started leading these parties, so I wrote a post about how you can host your own! Check out: How to Host a ‘Sip and Script’ Party: Prayer Journaling with Friends
If you live in the Philadelphia area, and would like me to come to your home or parish to guide one of these awesome gatherings, contact me at [email protected]. I’d love to come and help! Plus, it gives me some time to color and prayer journal – I love it!
Morning Mass and Coffee
Some of you amazing folks already attend daily Mass. That is so beautiful, and something I would like to attempt – or at least try to go more often. If you attend morning Mass – ask someone else there to grab a cup of coffee after! You don’t have to talk about the readings or homily! Just enjoy each other and that cup of amazingness!
Find or Start a Book Club
As luck would have it, a nearby parish has a mom’s group that meets the first Tuesday of every month. This mom’s group is called The Saint Gianna Mom’s Club, and meets to discuss a book. This year, we are reading Divine Mercy For Moms. If you are not a mom, or are a working parent, starting your own book club might work better! Plus, if you start your own, you can FINALLY read that book you have been wanting to read. Have a night out on the calendar is a nice added bonus as well!
Volunteer with a Pro-Life Group or the Saint Vincent de Paul Society
It wasn’t until this past year that I became more active in the Pro-Life movement. I have found that so much love and service is out there for women who truly desire to choose life, but feel like it really isn’t an option. If this is not what you are passionate about, try the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This group takes the Gospel message of charity to so many people in need! It’s amazing the friendships that can develop when we serve others together!
Do you have an idea about sharing faith and fellowship? Please share it with us!
Fellowship is the result from charity in action. It is lost when people don’t have the fire of the Spirit and don’t organize and share activities together. The remedy? First seek the Kingdom and the rest will flow:
Eucharistic adoration (covering turns!)
Feeding the poor
Visiting the sick
and the other 12 works of spiritual and physical mercy (some Parishes organize Mercy Sundays where people help in different activities each Sunday, from blood donation to workshops).
pro life groups
Youth groups
Formation groups or talks
Mission groups (n.b. door to door)
Live Nativity
Film discussion
Book club
you name it, you make it happen!
If the Parish Priest doesn’t allow them. Pray and go to the Bishop!
Great ideas!!! Thank you for sharing them all!
To help some of my friends over their fear of the Sacrament of Reconciliation – I started a quarterly Cocktails and Confession evening at my home. I am blessed to be surrounded by several religious orders; and was able to find priests who did not have parish obligations or even regular confession times. They were so excited to help us out !
I’d set up my dining room with a candle; lower light and adequate privacy – 2 rooms away from the rest of us enjoying a beverage and some treats. It evolved over the few years I hosted the even – eventually becoming Forgiveness and Fudge (as more were interested in my friend’s homemade hot fudge and my crockpot chocolate cake)! You’ve inspired me to look into perhaps bringing this amazing evening back to live!!
GREAT article, Amy!!!
Allison!!! I love the whole idea – Cocktails and Confession! Such an awesome way to get people back to that great Sacrament! Thank you so much for sharing – and for the compliment!! xoxo
For men, I found being a member of the Knights of Columbus an excellent source for fellowship. The great thing about being a “Knight:” is that we not only do a lot for church and community, we are a great “family” organization. The whole family is welcome to participate in the majority of the events and activities. especially those who become fourth degree Knights. it build fellowship not only for the men who join but also for our “lady Knights” and our children as well.
Awesome! Thank you so much for adding that idea!
Another option for men is the Order of Lepanto. We practice the martial arts of the Knights (sword fighting) and combine wit with a study of the faith and opportunities for fellowship. The martial art portion serves to clear our minds of daily worries, builds self-confidence, courage, and helps men to form bonds of friendship. These attributes help to create a more open sharing as we study the faith.
That is so interesting! Thank you for sharing!
For your female military-affiliated readers, they can check out their local installation for a Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC) group – it “used” to be called the Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW). Many CWOC chapters offer faith study, general meetings, fellowship, service activities, etc.
For me, I find it difficult as an introvert to head out and meet new people. Being intensely private, and having a history of being burnt by others, I struggle even more to invite people into my “safe space” (a.k.a. my home). So, I really, REALLY want to start a Rosary group, but am finding it really hard to willingly open up my home!
Thank you so much for sharing information on CWOC! I did not know that and that is so good to know! I have an idea for your Rosary group – I’m not sure where you live – but around me there are women who meet at church to pray the Rosary. Maybe you could do that, and then if you feel comfortable with them or become friends with some of them – you could invite them into your home. I wish you the best of luck – Be Not Afraid!
Go ahead and start the ‘Rosary group’. Don’t be afraid. Our Lady will give you the strength that you need and beautiful graces too!
I am about to share this and see who wants to have a wine and rosary or prayer journaling night! Too bad you are so far away you would be number 1 on the list!
I know – it would be awesome to live closer! I hope you find a couple of women to join you! Simply getting 2 other women is really the perfect size group!!