January to March, 2013 SCC Course Syllabus at Tangaza University College
Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
Nairobi, Kenya
Annotated Syllabus of Two Credit Core Course, Three hours a week, Lecture Format,
Pastorally Oriented (January to March, 2013).
Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. in the Hall.
Small Christian Communities as a New Model of Church in Africa Today (PTC418)
NOTE: This course is only offered in the Second Semester of the Academic Year (January to March). It is a Core Course in the Pastoral Theology Department of the School of Theology as part of the STB and BATh (CUEA) Degrees (Eighth Semester) and the MA Degree in Pastoral Ministry. There are a total of 27 class periods of 50 minutes each spread over three periods per week for nine weeks.
Textbooks for Required Reading:
a. Healey, Joseph and Jeanne Hinton (eds.), Small Christian Communities Today: Capturing the New Moment. (Orbis Books, 2005 and Paulines Publications Africa, 2006).
b. Healey, Joseph G., Building the Church as Family of God: Evaluation of Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa. Eldoret: AMECEA Gaba Publications – CUEA Press, Double Spearhead Nos. 199-200, 2012. The free electronic, online version of the book updated as of 1 February, 2013 is available on the SCCs Website as an Ebook at:
https://www.smallchristiancommunities.org/images/stories/pdf/Build_new.pdf
9 January, 2013: Classes 1-3: "Introduction to SCCs Course." Silence. Opening Solidarity Prayer: “Prayer for Peaceful and Just Elections in Kenya on 4 March 2013.” Theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s message for the 2013 World Day of Peace celebrated 1 January, 2013: "Blessed Are the Peacemakers." Plan of the Course. The many changes in organizing our course mirror the life of our 120,000 SCCs in Eastern Africa. Expectations for the course. A new way of teaching about SCCs and a new way of learning about SCCs. Profile of the class. Developing a “SCC identity” as a class. Using name Mwanajumuiya (member of a SCC) rather than “student” in class. The 52 Wanajumuiya come from 18 religious congregations and include one religious sister, one diocesan priest and two laymen. They come from 14 countries: 11 countries in Africa and India, Poland and Vietnam. They have done pastoral work in these countries plus five more African countries.
Available print and electronic resources including:
Small Christian Communities Global Collaborative Website and “Facebook Page”
https://www.smallchristiancommunities.org
Handout: Home Page of SCCs Website. https://www.smallchristiancommunities.org
Available on different browsers: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari.
Regular use of SCCs Facebook Page during our course: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-Christian-Communities/279921983315
Connecting to the other theology courses. Connecting to our personal, pastoral, practical experiences in parishes and apostolic activities. There is no blueprint for building and developing SCCs. Spanish proverb: We create the path by walking. Reading and responding to the signs of the times. Distribution of the two textbooks. Suggestion: Prepare a folder with all your SCCs materials that also be used in your ongoing pastoral ministry. Explanation of the SCCs Course Paper (the one CAT — Continuous Assessment Task — 30 points of course grade) and the Final Written (Short Essay) Exam (50 points of course grade). Highest marks for answers that include examples from the assigned reading and class discussion.
Modeling a SCC Model of Church by experiencing being a member of a SCC during the course. Dividing class into three SCCs and choose Patron/Patroness Saints of the three SCCs with their feast days: St. Kizito (born and died in Uganda) – 3 June; St. Karoli Lwanga (born and died in Uganda) — 3 June; St. Josephine Bakhita (born in Sudan, died in Italy) – 8 February. Importance of the Bible (our jembe). Comparing the Bible to our cellphone. Bring the Bible, Missal, Smartphone (cellphone such as the iPhone)) or tablet (such as the iPad) with Gospel text to class. Lectio Divina. During the course we will have practical experience of different methods of Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection.
20 minutes in modeling the Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection/Bible—Life Connections in our three SCCs based on the Gospel of the following Sunday (Sunday after the Epiphany, the Baptism of the Lord – Year C). Luke 3: 15-16 and 21-22. Process: Read the Gospel the first time. Silence. Share Bible reflections: Bible—Life Connections that connect, relate and apply the Gospel to our daily lives. This is lectionary-based faith sharing. This experience will help the Deacons prepare their homilies for the following Sunday.
“Video on African Small Christian Communities.” Opening Solidarity Prayer: Calling on the intercession of our three Patron/ Patroness Saints of the SCCs, our Ancestors in Christ.
The Church in the Neighbourhood: Small Christian Communities (with Swahili and Arabic
versions). Nairobi: Ukweli Video Productions, 1995. 43 minutes. Segment I: “Life and Activities of SCCs.” Segment II: “Services (Ministries) in the SCCs.”
NOTE: Each week the first period begins with the students being asked to share “what struck them”/”what they learned” from the assigned reading.
Reading:
“Foreword,” “Introduction” and “Explanation of Terms” (page xi to page 8 in Small Christian Communities Today: Capturing the New Moment (SCCT).
16 January, 2013: Classes 4-6: "Types and Trends in Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa."Opening Solidarity Prayer: “Prayer for Peaceful and Just Elections in African Countries in 2013 including Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.” General housekeeping details. Revised “Timetable” of our SCCs Course. Follow –up from last week. “Touchdown” period (page 166 of Building the Church as Family of God) with examples of the deacons’ homilies from Sunday, 13 January, 2013). “A New Way of Preparing a Homily.” Story: Traveling around the world I’m sure that I surprise many priests (and parishioners alike) when I say that in Eastern Africa we find it “easy” to preach on Sunday if we use the “SCC process.” During the week the priest participates in various SCC meetings of lay people in his parish that listen to, and reflect on, the Gospel of the following Sunday. Then the Sunday Parish Eucharist becomes the “communion of the SCCs.” During his homily the priest reflects back the experiences, insights and applications that he has learned from the Bible reflections that have taken place in the individual SCC meetings. Much of the content of his homily come from the life experiences and Bible–life connections of SCC members that members of the Sunday congregation can easily relate to and feel are relevant to their lives. My Homily Preparation for Sunday, 20 January, 2013. Example from my St. Isidore of Seville International Online Skype SCC: “A wedding is one day. A marriage is a lifetime.”
SCCs Facebook Page (presently 774 Fans). Discussion of the assigned reading. Survey of wanajumuiya involvement in the 14 activities of SCCs (page 164 of Building the Church as Family of God). Many SCCs activities in the video. Small Christian Communities as a New Model of Church in Africa Today. Small Christian Communities as a New Way of Being Church in Africa Today. Difference between a SCC Model of Church and a Small Group Model of Church. Neighborhood (geographical), parish-based SCCs are a pastoral model of church and an instrument/vehicle/tool of evangelization. Comprise 95 % of the SCCs in the AMECEA (the acronym for "Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa" that is a service organization for the National Episcopal Conferences of the nine English-speaking countries of Eastern Africa, namely Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) Region. Other types of SCCs are called specialized SCCs that comprise 5 % of the SCCs in the AMECEA Region. Examples: Extraterritorial or floating SCCs in parishes; SCCs in schools (including universities, seminaries and houses of religious formation), training centres and hospitals; specialized groups (doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, youth); and small groups connected to international movements and organizations such as like Christian Life Communities (CLCs), Focolare, Neo-Catechumenate and the charism of various religious congregations. Explanation of the Three Steps of the Pastoral Spiral Methodology or Process of the Course (“See,” “Judge” and “Act”) with concrete SCC examples on the local level.
References:
1. “Checklist of 14 Activities in Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in Africa Today” (on the SCCs Website and on Moodle).
2. “13 Steps in the Weekly Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection/Bible—Life Connections of Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in Africa” (on the SCCs Website and on Moodle).
Final 20 minutes of second period is modeling the Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection/Bible—Life Connections in our three SCCs based on the Gospel of the following Sunday (Second Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year C: John 2:1-11). Mention a word or phrase in the Gospel that strikes you the most (chambua maneno ya maana in Swahili).
Reading:
1. Chapter 14 (pages 99-105) on “Pastoral Involvement of Parish-based SCCs in Dar es Salaam” by Christopher Cieslikiewicz in SCCT. SCCs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
2. Chapter 15 (pages 106-109) on "SCC Diocesan Training Team Reaches Out in Uganda" by John Vianney Muweesi and Emmanuel Mwerekande in SCCT. SCCs in Uganda.
23 January, 2013: Classes 7-9: "The AMECEA Key Pastoral Priority of Building Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa." Opening Solidarity Prayer: “For an Ecumenical Spirit in Our SCCs in Africa.” 18-25 January, 2013 is the “Week of Christian Unity.” This is a good time to vote in our Online Poll on our SCCs Website for the choice "Ecumenical activities" that is one of the five options in: "The best part of my Small Christian Community is…" https://www.smallchristiancommunities.org. Report on the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations football (soccer) tournament where our class has five teams: DRC, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Zambia. “Touchdown” period with examples of the deacons’ homilies and the seminarians’ religious education talks using stories and examples.
AMECEA Study Conference in 1976: “Systematic formation of Small Christian Communities should be the key pastoral priority in the years to come [in the nine countries] in Eastern Africa.” Two Stories/Case Studies/Portraits of SCCs in rural and urban Tanzania.
a. Rural: Bukiriro, Rulenge, Tanzania. “Theresa’s Old, Plastic, Armless Crucifix.” Story taken from page 118 of Once Upon a Time in Africa: Stories of Wisdom and Joy.
b. Urban: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. “Visiting St. Charles Lwanga SCC.” Story taken from pages 100-101 of Small Christian Communities Today: Capturing the New Moment.
50-year Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) recalls the historical foundations of SCCs in the People of God Model of Church and in the Communion Ecclesiology of Vatican II. African Ecclesiology of SCCs. Comparing162 important characteristics or features of SCCs (76 on Dynamics 86 on Activities), 28 criteria of evaluation of SCCs and 14 Common Activities of SCCs.
20 minutes of the third period is modeling the Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection/Bible—Life Connections in our three SCCs based on the Gospel of the following Sunday (Third Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year C — Luke 1:1-4 and 4: 14-21 in buzz groups of two or three people each. Buzz groups are a participatory method or process of group dynamics.
Handout: “Annotated Syllabus of Course.”
Written Assignment. SCCs Course Paper (the one CAT — Continual Assessment Task) that is at least three pages single spaced or six pages double spaced. To be handed in and reported on in our three SCCs during our last class on 13 March, 2013. 30 points of course grade.
“Part I — SCC Practicum Write-up” (one or two pages) on your personal, pastoral, practical experience of a SCC Practicum (a SCC Activity). Use the three steps of the "see,” “judge” and “act" methodology or process. Arrange the SCC Practicum on your own that is, participate in/attend/visit a specific gathering/meeting/activity of a SCC in a parish or special interest group/apostolic group in Nairobi Archdiocese or another diocese in Kenya. Or participate in the St. Isidore of Seville International Online Skype SCC on any Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m. Choose one of the activities of a SCC in the "Checklist of 14 Activities in Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in Africa Today." 10 points of course grade.
“Part II — Reflection Paper (two or four pages) on a topic of your choice that comes from your experience and observations during the Practicum or from your other SCC experiences. Examples: “Lack of Youth in SCCs.” “Tribalism and Negative Ethnicity in SCCs.” “How to Divide a Large SCC into Two Smaller SCCs." “SCCs and Inculturation." “SCCs Involvement in the Kenya Lenten Campaign 2013.” “Comparing Two SCCs.” “Specific Challenges in SCCs in Africa.” “A Pastoral or Theological Question Related to SCCs.” “Reaching Young People through the Small Christian Communities Global Collaborative Website and Facebook Page.” 20 points of course grade.
Handout: Materials for the 2013 Kenya Lenten Campaign.
Reading: “The New Media and Small Christian Communities in the AMECEA Region” Chapter 5 (pages 109-120 in Building the Church as Family of God: Evaluation of Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa). Also available as Chapter 9 (“The Future is Now: Using the Internet to Promote SCCs in Africa and around the World”) in the electronic, online version of the book. Recommended: Visit some of the “Internet Resources on Small Christian Communities (27).”
Special Assignment: Spend one hour on the internet studying the
Small Christian Communities Global Collaborative Website
www.smallchristiancommunities.org
30 January, 2013: Classes 10-12: "Promoting SCCs through the Internet." Opening Solidarity Song: “Bind Us Together, Lord.” Special guest: Peter Kyalo is a Senior Software Engineer responsible for Systems Development (Website Programming) and Website Development (Website Design).
Pope Benedict XVI’s talk to seminarians in Rome in February, 2011: “The Internet is a valuable tool for seminarians, not only in their studies, but also in their pastoral ministries. Because of its capacity to surmount distances and put people in mutual contact, the Internet presents great possibilities also for the Church and her mission. With the necessary discernment for its intelligent and prudent use, it is an instrument that can serve not only for studies, but also for the pastoral action of future priests in different ecclesial fields, such as evangelization, missionary action, catechesis, educational projects, the management of institutes." Valuable Resources: “The Priest [Seminarian] and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word” (Pope Benedict XVI’s Message for 44th World Communications Day on 16 May, 2010). "Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age" (Pope Benedict XVI’s Message for 45th World Communications Day on 5 June, 2011). "Social Networks: Portals of Truth and Faith; New Spaces for Evangelization." (Pope Benedict XVI’s Message for 47th World Communications Day on 12 May, 2013).
“Touchdown” period with examples of the deacons’ homilies and the seminarians’ religious education talks using stories and examples.
Online demonstration of the African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories Website (including the “African Stories Database”): Healing (11 stories); Lent (50 stories); Reconciliation (22 stories).
Discussion of Homework Assignment. Survey of student involvement in social networking and information websites.
Explanation of the “Social Media/New Media/Social Networking.” Question: What are the four largest countries/nations in the world by population?
Answer:
1. China (1,354,040,000)
2. India (1,210,193,422)
3. Facebook (over one billion)
4. USA (315,198,000)
“Social Media Video 2013: Social Media Revolution” on YouTube. 3.51 minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUCfFcchw1w This and other videos can be found by entering “Video on Social Media” in a “Search” on Google.
Online demonstration of a multi-media website: Christ the Teacher Parish, Kenyatta University Website and the plan of the SCCs of university students: some in dormitories/ residence halls/hostels and two that are non-geographical): http://www.kucatholic.or.ke . Includes Video Clips on YouTube.
Online demonstration of the “Small Christian Communities Global Collaborative Website” and the “Facebook Page” on the SCCs Website. SCC Poll. SCC Stories on the African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories Website. Creating the SCCs Stories Database. Of the first 774 fans (or friends) on the SCCs Facebook Page, 73% are in the 18-44 year old age bracket. The majority of fans are from Kenya followed by United States, Germany, India, Tanzania, Uganda and Guinea-Bissau. Four Online or Virtual SCCs. Just as SCCs are a new way of being church, Online SCCs are a new way of being SCCs. Youth involvement in Online SCCs.
Using Skype for an audio or video meeting of an Online SCC. Online demonstration using Skype to communicate live with a member of a SCC in Bockum, Germany. Example of Our Lady of the Round Table, a worldwide Marianist Cyber Community that has African members. They meet daily online for faith sharing and Bible reflection.
Mwanajumuiya demonstrates the use of a Smart Phone. Apps on the Bible, Missal and Liturgical Readings and Commentaries. Text Messages of Daily Bible readings.
Third period: Modeling the Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection/Bible—Life Connections based on the Gospel of the following Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year C: Luke 4:21-30). Read the Gospel. Silence. Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection in whole class. Class wanajumuiya post combined Bible Sharing/Bible Reflections “live” on the SCC Facebook Page on the internet.
Two excerpts from DVD Celebrating Service to Mission: The Maryknoll Journey (1911-2011 Worldwide and 1946-2011 Africa). Nairobi: Creativecamera Ltd, 2011. 2:05 to 4:00 minutes and 15:20 to 20:45 minutes.
Three Handouts:
“Guidelines for the “SCC Practicum Write-up”: “Part I of the SCCs Course Paper Based on the Pastoral Spiral/ Circle/Cycle” (one page).
“Example of a SCC Practicum Write-up” (one page).
“Form for the SCCs Course Paper” (one page).
Reading: Two Booklets of the Kenya Lenten Campaign 2013 on the theme United and Peaceful Kenya…the Change I Want to See” especially Week 2 on “General Election.” Available on the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) Website at:
http://www.cjpckenya.org/index.php?page=programs&fid=1
6 February, 2013: Classes 13-15: "SCCs Involvement in the Kenya Lenten Campaign 2013 on the theme United and Peaceful Kenya…the Change I Want to See.” Opening Solidarity Prayer with Spontaneous Petitions: “For Peaceful Elections in Kenya on 4 March, 2013. Archbishop Raphael Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki’s comment about SCC members praying in their home or heart language.
Panel and Facilitators for Powerpoint Presentation: Representatives of the Kenya Episcopal Conference Catholic Justice & Peace Commission Office: Mrs. Beatrice Odera and Mr. Martin O’Mwangi: “Background of the Annual Kenya Lenten Campaigns.” “Introduction to the Overall Theme of the 2013 Kenya Lenten Campaign and “Week 2 (Second Sunday of Lent – 24 February, 2013) on “General Election:”: “Use of the Important Resources: Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, The Leadership Handbook (Swahili is Maelekezo ya Uongozi), Nairobi: KEC Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, 2013. Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Lent: Let Light Shine Out of Darkness… Kenya Lenten Campaign Training Manual for Small Christian Communities. Nairobi: KEC Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, 2012.”
The Official Launch of the 2013 Kenya Lenten Campaign (National Prayer Day and a huge “Peace Rally” to prepare for the General Elections on 4 March, 2013) will take place on Saturday, 9 February, 2013 at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya starting with a concelebrated Mass at 10 a.m.
Questions and discussion. Quotation from Archbishop Zacchaeus in the “Preface”: “…a balanced analysis of what happened in 2007 and 2008. We cannot enter into any meaningful dialogue unless we look at the past and self-critique ourselves. Where was I in this violence? Can I identify my role in the 2007-2008 post- election violence and repent?” Facilitating “Train the Trainers” (TOT) Workshops on civic education and voter education in our parishes and SCCs. Training SCC Leaders to use the inductive" See,” “Judge” and “Act" methodology/ process of the Kenya Lenten Campaign.
25 minute Video Clip of: Never Again! Never again should Kenya walk the path of the 2007-2008 post-election violence. Nairobi: Ukweli Video Productions, 2011. Total length: 70 minutes.
At the beginning of the Third Period. Singing of Peace Anthem: Jivunie Nchi Yako. Kabila Sio Silaha (Be Proud of Your Country. Tribe is not a Weapon).
30 minutes of third period: Use the three steps of "See,” “Judge” and “Act" methodology/process in Week 2 (Second Sunday of Lent – 24 February, 2013) on “General Election.” In our three SCCs read:
1. Analyze and discuss the drawing (cartoon) on page 14.
2. Read the story in Step One (“See”): “Another Elections Season in the Country of Zuku.” on page 15-16.
3. Read part of the Situational Analysis in Step Two (“Judge”) on pages 16-18.
4. Read the First Reading (Genesis 15:5-12 and 17-18) and Gospel (Luke 9:28-36) and scripture commentary.
5. Answer questions 1/4, 2 and 3 in Step Three (“Act”).
Short reports from each SCC. How we can be animators of SCCs during the five weeks of Lent? How can these Lenten materials be helpful to the deacons in preparing their Sunday homilies? Evaluation of the methodology/process. General Discussion and the Way Forward.
Reading:
“SCCs’ Involvement in the New Evangelization” Chapter 5 (pages 114-124 in Building the Church as Family of God: Evaluation of Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa).
Also available as “SCCs’ Involvement in the New Evangelization in Africa” Chapter 11 (pages 135-150) in the electronic, online version of the book.
13 February, 2013. Classes 16-18. “Participation of Youth in Small Christian Communities in Africa.” Opening Solidarity Prayer: Acts of the Apostles 2:42-45. Review of the last two weeks: feedback, comments questions. Panel and Facilitators: Seminarian Francis Mukasa, CSC and Evelyn Nyaituga and Anthony Odoyo, two representatives of the Kenyan Youth SCCs from Dandora Parish, Nairobi Archdiocese: “Overall Plan of Youth SCCs” in Dandora Parish.” “Case Study of One Youth SCC.” “A Seminarian’s Experience with Youth and SCCs during Pastoral Year and Weekend Ministry.” Case Study of Diocesan Seminarian Working with SCCs during His Pastoral Year in Musoma Diocese, Tanzania. Questions, comments and discussion.
SCCs’ involvement in the New Evangelization.
Two starting points for Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection/Bible—Life Connections/Faith Sharing:
1. “Deductive” (from the Bible or a Church Document to Life): the Bible (for example, the Gospel of the following Sunday). Reflecting on Africa’s Commitment one chapter per week for five consecutive weeks. Reflecting on a particular teaching of the Catholic Church such as Faith or Love or the Meaning of a Sacrament.
2. “Inductive” (from Life to the Bible): our daily life experience as the starting point of weekly Bible Sharing/Bible Reflection/Bible—Life Connections (especially through our critical concrete experiences, incidents, events, examples and stories). Two types:
a. Local human events/experiences in a SCC such as death, sickness, baptism, graduation, marriage, welcoming a new person, visiting the home of a person who is not coming to the SCC meetings.
b. “What are the different human problems in Kenya and the rest of Africa that we should reflect on in our SCC meetings in the light of the Gospel?” (based on No. 89 of John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa/The Church in Africa).
Method of reflection in our three SCCs is both deductive and inductive.
Hand in: “Form for the SCCs Course Paper”
Reading:
Chapter 16 (pages 110-114) on "Small Christian Communities Light Up Neighborhoods in Kisumu” by Alphonce Omolo in SCCT. SCCs in Kisumu, Kenya.
20 February, 2013: Class 19-21: Powerpoint Presentation on “A Bird’s Eye View of the LUMKO Way of Being Church." Opening Solidarity Prayer: “2013 Year of Faith.” Facilitator: Sister Ephigenia Gachiri, IBVM. Handouts of: “Cartoon of Kokoteni Model of Church (one page); “LUMKO Poster: Communion of Communities Model of Church” (one page); “The Comprehensive LUMKO Approach” (one page); “7-Step Gospel Sharing” and “Evaluation of 7-Step Gospel Sharing” (two pages); “How to Evaluate of SCCs” (one page). Valuable resources for our parish ministry in Africa. Questions and discussion.
Third period: modeling the Seven-Step Gospel Sharing in our three SCCs based on the Gospel of the Third Sunday of Lent – Year C: Luke 13:1-9 (3 March, 2013).
Readings:
1. Chapter23 (pages 157-163) on "Reenergizing SCCs Twinning on the International Level" by Rita Ishengoma and Joseph Healey in SCCT.
2. Chapter24 (pages 164-169) on "Global Communion in the Face-to Face Level" by Barbara Darling in SCCT.
27 February, 2013: Classes 22-24. “The Missionary Life and Outreach of Small Christian Communities in Africa and the Whole World." Opening Song: “Iende Mbele.” Opening Solidarity Prayer: John20:21: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me so I send you”
Reports of Wanajumuiya on the 1sth and 2th Sundays of Lent.
“The pilgrim church is missionary by her very nature (or in another translation “the Church on earth is by its very nature missionary”) for it is from the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit that she takes her origin, in accordance with the decree [plan] of God the Father” (No. 2 in Ad Gentes, the Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church promulgated by the Second Vatican Council in 1965). How we can consciously animate SCC members to be missionaries and evangelizers? From the “Timeline:” The AMECEA Study Conference on “The Implementation of the AMECEA Bishops’ Pastoral Priority of Building Small Christian Communities: An Evaluation” took place in Zomba, Malawi in 1979. One pastoral resolution stated: “SCCs are an effective way of developing the mission dimension of the church at the most local level, and of making people feel that they are really part of the church’s evangelizing work.”
Mwanajumuiya Mwalimu Simon Rurinjah: “SCCs and Evangelization in the 2013 Year of Faith.” Mwanajumuiya Mama Rose Musimba: “Role of Women in the Leadership and the Missionary Activity of SCCs.” Questions, comments and discussion.
Examples of SCCs Twinning. John Paul II Parish Evangelizing Teams: “Arise and Evangelize.” Pope Paul VI: “Be missionaries to yourselves.” Story of Cardinal Polycarp Pengo of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: “It is good that we can be missionaries from Africa to the world!” In the POLL on our SCCs Website one choice is: "Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ." International character of Small Christian Communities including an analysis of the background of the 774 Fans (as of 8 February, 2013) on the SCCs Facebook Page. “Catechumen Communities” in the Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC) SCCs. Demonstration (role play) on unity, cooperation and the “Communitarian Model of Church” called “Who is First?”
Final 30 minutes is modeling a special type of Daily Life–Bible Connections in our three SCCs.
1. Identify different human problems in Kenya and the rest of Africa as illustrated in
a critical concrete experience, incident, event, example, story from our daily lives. Choose one problem and discuss it thoroughly to understand it better.
2. Choose corresponding/parallel passages in the Bible.
3. Choose some kind of pastoral solution or practical action.
Wednesday, 13 March, 2013: Last Day (Classes 25-27). Opening Solidarity Prayer: Missionary Songs “Here I Am Lord” and “Nimtume Nani?”Evaluation of the course: How to make the course better/how to improve the course. Recommendation: Open the course to students in Second and Third Theology who want to write their Long Essays on SCCs and to students in the Institute of Social Ministry who want to write their Master’s Thesis on SCCs.
Explanation of the Final Written Exam. Three questions on the written exam: one required question and then choosing two out of five questions. Bonus Questions. Sample exam questions based on possible themes. Explanation of the Marking System. Class photo in front of Tangaza (to be posted on our SCCs Facebook Page).
Suggestion for follow-up after the end of the course. We the graduates (Alumni, Alumnae) of our SCCs Class can continue sharing, interacting and exchanging SCCs information and experiences through our own special, ongoing Online or Virtual SCC as a Facebook Page.
Short reports on the 52 SCC Course Papers in our three SCCs.
Hand in the SCC Course Paper
Wednesday, 20 March, 2013: Final Written Exam.50 points of course grade. Opening Solidarity Prayer: Calling on the help of the First Small Community (Trinity) and the First Small Christian Community (Holy Family).
Resources
See the end of Joseph Healey, Building the Church as Family of God: Evaluation of Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa and pages 200-214 in the online version updated as of 1 February, 2013 and available on the SCCs Website at:
https://www.smallchristiancommunities.org/images/stories/pdf/Build_new.pdf
Under three categories:
1. “Select Annotated Bibliography of Books, Booklets, Articles, Reports and Printed Materials” (116 entries)
2. “DVD Resources” (19 entries)
3. “Internet Resources” (27 entries)
Lecturer:
Rev. Joseph Healey, MM (Box 18 at Tangaza University College)
Maryknoll Society
P.O. Box 43058
00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Telkom Wireless: 057-2522977
Email: JGHealey@aol.com
Updated: 8 February, 2013
Tangaza University College