Spirit of Christ Catholic Community

Arvada, Colorado

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Spirit of Christ Small Church Communities

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What Is A Small Church Community?

A Small Church Community (SCC) is a small group of adults and, at times, children who gather to reflect on their lives in the light of the Gospel and to share their Christian faith through prayer, friendship and service. The early Christians gathered in small groups, most frequently in a home. That experience allowed a deep sharing of faith and life. Today, SCCs facilitate that deep sharing in the presence of trusted friends. Relationships are formed in which sharing, listening and genuine communication are nurtured. The sharing of faith and life leads to action on behalf of others. Although each SCC is unique in its membership, style, and meeting format, every SCC is involved in the following activities:

• Mutual support and faith sharing
• Prayer and ritual
• On-going formation in Scripture and Tradition that enables tangible connections between faith and life.
• Outreach beyond the SCC

Small Church Community members are involved in numerous parish ministries as well as outreach projects born out of the faith sharing of their small communities.

Who Belongs?

Most small communities are diverse in membership with single and married, young, middle-age and older people gathering together. Children are very much a part of the experience of small communities. Family life is strengthened by membership and participation in Small Church Communities. The rich diversity of age, gender, ethnicity and lifestyle present when the parish family gathers for Liturgy is also reflected in the membership of Small Church Communities. Over eight hundred people are currently involved in Small Church Communities within Spirit of Christ.

How Do I Join?

Twice yearly all parishioners are invited to participate in an initial experience of Small Church Community generally during the fall and in the Lenten season. However, interested people may become members of existing SCCs at anytime during the year. For information, please contact the the SCC office at 303-422-9173 or by

How Often Do They Meet?

The average is twice monthly, usually in the homes of community members. Meeting times vary in respect to time of day and the day of the week.

How Does The Parish Support Small Church Communities?

• Information and activities generated by the Small Church Community Office and the members of the SCC Core Team
• The Small Church Community Newsletter
• Gatherings specifically designed for SCC members
• A Parish Resource Room which provides booklets, books and videos for faith sharing
• Small Church Community information in the parish bulletin, pulpit announcements on the parish website
• Connection with existing parish groups and ministries

From the very foundation of our parish community, Spirit of Christ has maintained a tradition of gathering small groups of people for the purpose of sharing faith and life.

Small Church Communities have evolved from the experience of neighborhood mini-parishes, RENEW groups and parish support groups. Today we continue to encourage and support this dynamic model of Christian life first described in the New Testament.

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers . . . All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s needs. Acts of the Apostles 2: 42-44.

Vision and Mission Statement for Spirit of Christ Small Church Communities

All members of Spirit of Christ Catholic Community have the opportunity and are encouraged to become active members of Small Church Communities. These interdependent communities help to transform the parish into a stronger community of faith. This vision is consistent with the New Testament Scriptures and the traditions of the early church. Within these small communities of faith, individuals are able to experience the love, support and sense of community which fosters the living of the Gospel in our contemporary society. The Pastor, Staff and leadership body of the parish authorize the SCC Office and Core Team to support existing SCCs and to offer formational activities to gather new Small Church Communities.

Click the images above to view and/or print the Small Church Communities brochure.