OBOB Suggestions for presenting and studying

Suggestions for presenting and studying
One Bread One Body
in parishes and small groups

One Bread One Body is a statement from the Catholic bishops of England and Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, on the importance of the Mass in Catholic faith and life. The document explains Catholic teaching on the Eucharist and applies that teaching to the question of sacramental sharing between Catholics and other Christians in our countries.

The bishops' statement is intended first of all for Catholics whose responsibilities may include teaching about the Mass: priests and deacons, catechists, teachers in schools, and parents. One Bread One Body is also offered to other Christians in the hope that it will clarify what the Catholic Church believes about the Eucharist.

In the Foreword, it is recommended that One Bread One Body be used as a source of study and reflection. This can be done at parish or deanery level, and in ecumenical situations. Each parish, deanery or organisation should set aside a period of time - maybe four to six weeks - for studying and reflecting on One Bread One Body. This introductory leaflet offers some suggestions that might aid this process.

How parishes might reflect on One Bread One Body

There are many different ways of presenting and discussing the bishops' document in a parish or group situation. Parishes could encourage people to buy and read One Bread One Body and make copies of the document and the Catechetical material available for sale in the parish.

Parish leaders could work with priests to plan a programme for the parish covering a number of weeks. This could consist of brief presentations of some themes of the document at the weekend masses. The homily might reflect this theme, or relevant extracts could appear in the parish bulletin, or a specially designed page reflecting a theme of One Bread One Body could be distributed each week.

Parishes could plan a programme of discussion in small groups. It would need some people with experience of small groups to act as leaders and to plan a study programme using the notes in this leaflet. Then all those who might be interested should be invited to form small groups to meet over a set period of time. If it is a local custom to have ecumenical Lent groups, it might be possible to consider inviting other Christians, though of course the material is drawn from the Catholic tradition.

Some parishes might ask the organisations and groups in the parish to plan a study programme on the bishops' statement using the catechetical material in their regular meetings. It might be useful for groups like the UCM or CWL, or an RCIA group and the parish council to set aside time for this purpose.

Suggestions for small group study and discussion

These notes are to help you to use this document in small study groups. Your study group might be an established group who know each other and can get started quickly, or a new group brought together for this purpose. The following points always need to be remembered:

· Every group is different and there are no absolute rules other than to adapt the material and methods to suit your group.

· If the group is to work, it is important to use a good method; some suggestions are offered here.

· The group's work needs to be planned and the group meeting should have a leader who knows the plan. Those planning and leading the group should keep in mind three priorities:

1. getting the right focus and content, and presenting these well so that people can relate to what is being discussed.

2. making sure that there is time for everyone to speak, and an atmosphere of listening.

3. making sure that there is some quiet reflection and prayer so that it draws on people's faith and convictions, not just their opinions.

· The practical aspects also need thought: the place the group meets, starting and finishing on time, welcoming and introducing people, refreshments, copies of any handouts people need.

Two ways of using this text in small groups

Make sure everyone who is going to take part in the group has a copy of One Bread One Body and the Catechetical material, where possible.

Plan a number of meetings to study and discuss it, section by section. The group members should be asked to read the section to be discussed and the relevant catechetical material before they come to the meeting. Try to concentrate on about three or four pages at a time. Don't worry if you don't cover all the sections; choose those the group are most interested to discuss.

Each time you meet, use this pattern:

· Welcome, and a few minutes of prayer or silent reflection on a brief scripture reading.

· Recall last week: did anyone have any further thoughts about what was discussed?

· Look at this week's passages for discussion; invite someone to take 10-15 minutes to summarise what he or she sees as the main points being made, and to give a personal reaction.

· Have a general discussion, perhaps with questions taken from the Catechetical material. Other questions you could use include the following: What did you like? Is there anything you found challenging? What do you think are the implications for us as individuals, parishes and communities? Is there anything this discussion prompts us to do?

If you use the same questions each week, people will get used to thinking along these lines, and the method will be more effective. They may also be useful to the person who introduces the sections for discussion.

Finish with a few minutes of evaluation; ask people to think what is the most valuable thing they have heard during the meeting. Then spend a few minutes in prayer.

After reading One Bread One Body, choose some themes which can be further developed and discussed in a group situation. Examples might be: The Church and the Sacraments; The Catholic Church and other Christians; Full and partial communion; The Eucharist as a Memorial of Christ's sacrifice; Pastoral care of the separated and divorced; Catholics at the Eucharist; The Eucharist and daily life/mission. You will need someone to prepare each week's meeting.

Discuss the theme using these questions and other questions in the catechetical material: How does this issue or theme affect us? What experience or knowledge of this matter do we already have?

Then someone should present a summary of points from the relevant sections of the document (it might be helpful to have relevant sections copied out, not exceeding one page). Go through these with the group, making sure that people are clear about what is being said. Then discuss the points using these questions: What do you like? What do you find challenging? What are the implications for the inseparable link between Catholic faith and life?

Discuss how the reflection can be taken further individually or as a group, parish or organisation.

At the beginning of each subsequent meeting, spend a few minutes recalling the previous meeting. In particular, ask the group to share any further thoughts they have had.