The following program with estimated time allotments is suggested for a gathering of 15-30 people and will take two to three hours. For fewer or more people, adjust the time allotments accordingly. (Remember, you can also use I am e3 at parish meetings for shorter 20 to 60 minute sessions outside this longer gathering format. See the Manual for details.)

Order your I am e3 decks early enough so you have them in time for the gathering. The directions on the Instruction Card will also help you prepare for the gathering. Also check the website Manual for tips that may help you plan and conduct your gathering.

If you wish to include/end with refreshments, plan accordingly. You also can hold the e3 Gathering as part of a dinner, potluck, picnic or BBQ. This later option also makes for a pleasant gathering which many enjoy.

Some ideas of special focus gatherings are given below. Also, click here for a list of parish groups you can include in I am e3 faith sharing.

• Use I am e3 in a faith-sharing gathering at parent meetings in preparation for their children’s reception of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, Eucharist. It will “break the ice” and root the sacramental preparation in the value of faith for everyday life—their own as well as that of their children.

• Use I am e3 at a gathering for the members of a parents, mothers, or fathers group at a Catholic school. By holding this gathering for members of such groups, you may reach out to some who are seeking Catholic education for their children but who are currently inactive themselves. This may be a way for them to consider anew their relationship with the Church.

• Use I am e3 for a faith-sharing gathering with engaged couples. You could bring the couples together with the other engaged couples in your parish (or deanery) being married during a time period to help them get to know other engaged couples and to experience the importance of sharing their faith with one another.

• Use I am e3 cards at the meetings with the newly baptized adults after Easter. You can have a special gathering for this if time permits. Or each week you can invite one member of the RCIA group (a “neophyte” or a team member) to lead the sharing on one card. The leader reads the story aloud, answers the question(s) and invites the rest of the group members to share their own answers. This encourages the newly baptized and those who have come into full communion to be active sharers of the faith they have received.

• Use I am e3 cards at a gathering for CCD teachers and/or Catholic school teachers at the beginning of the new school year (or at some other time during the year). It is a great way to add a new twist to a “retreat” by encouraging those teaching the youth of the parish to share their own faith more freely and naturally.

• Use I am e3 cards at a gathering for Eucharistic ministers, lectors, altar servers, greeters, etc. It can be a fun way for people serving in the parish to meet one another and to share their faith with them. Combined with refreshments, it can be a pleasant time for all involved.

• Use I am e3 at a parish appreciation gathering for volunteers. Combined with a luncheon or dinner, it can make a very special and memorable occasion. It can also be a way to help the volunteers see the possibilities of sharing their faith as they serve in the parish in various outreach ministries.

• Use I am e3 at a regular or special gathering of priests in your deanery. This is sure to lead to engaging conversations and help focus attention on the importance of helping people become comfortable sharing their faith with others.

1. Gathering and Opening Prayer (35 minutes)
   • Before the gathering begins. If this gathering includes a number of people who are inactive Catholics, select some active Catholic participants before the meeting and explain the process to them. Ask them to “head” the groups and to share first in the group. They will model the process for the others in the group to help avoid hesitancy and confusion.

   • Gathering time. Participants register and pick-up a nametag if they are not an already established group and are unlikely to know each other. (15 minutes)

   • Welcome. Participants introduce themselves if this is not an established group where people already know one another. Each participant states name, how long s/he has been in the parish or school, or some other fact about themselves. (10 minutes)

   • Scripture Reading and Response. Begin the gathering with prayer. Select a Scripture reading that is appropriate for the liturgical season and/or that conveys God’s love and care for people. Use a sung or recited response to the reading. (You can also use or adapt one of the Opening Prayer Rituals given below. Feel free to download and adapt to your needs.) If your gathering is with a mixed group from the neighborhood, opening with a voiced prayer followed by the Lord’s Prayer may be a better way to start. (10 minutes)

2. Sharing in Small Groups (60-80 minutes)
   • Arrange Groups. Arrange the participants in groups (of 3 or 4). Try to have the same number of participants in each group. Encourage participants to sit with people they don’t know or don’t usually see. If you have already selected some active Catholics to head the groups, make sure you include them as you form the groups. Arrange the groups so that they include active and inactive Catholics together. Keep in mind that it may be helpful to arrange the groups so that inactive Catholics are with people they know and with whom they feel comfortable. (5 minutes)

   • Distribute the cards. Give the participants an I am e3 card or have them select their own. (5 minutes)

   • Sharing faith. (30-50 minutes)
     • Each participant reads the story on his/her card quietly and thinks about the question(s) at the bottom of the card.
     • One at a time, each person reads his/her story aloud and answers the question(s) at the bottom of the card.
     • After each sharing, the other members affirm and thank the speaker for sharing. This is not a time for advice giving.
     • Allot approximately 10 minutes per person in a group.

   • Further Reflection. While still in the small groups, give the participants 20 minutes to think about and answer the following four questions. One participant in each group takes notes.
     • In sharing these stories, have you gained any insight about faith and everyday life?
     • What was it like for you to hear the responses of the other participants?
     • How did you feel about sharing your own responses?
     • What helps or hinders you from sharing your faith experiences with the people you encounter everyday?

3. Reassemble and Evaluate (50 minutes)

   Some parts of the evaluation are more suitable for gatherings of people active in parish service and ministry, such as members of the pastoral council or liturgical ministers. For gatherings of active and inactive Catholics, you may want to eliminate parts of the evaluation which do not seem appropriate.

   • Summary. Bring the groups together and ask those who took notes to summarize the responses to the four questions from their group. (15 minutes)

   • Evaluate the experience. Ask one question at a time. (15 minutes)
     • What did you like about this time together?
     • What would you change if we did it again?
     • How can we use such gatherings in the parish?
     • Would any of you like to host or lead another experience like this in your home or at the parish? (optional)

   • Intercessions and closing prayer. These can be prepared in advance, or be spontaneous. You can close with the Lord’s Prayer or the Hail Mary if you wish. (10 minutes)

   • Conclusion. Thank everyone for coming and for participating.
     • Allow participants to take home their cards and encourage them to use them as a way to start a faith conversation with someone else. Point out that they can participate in a discussion board if they wish. (5 minutes)
     • Set a time to get together with those who are interested in hosting or leading other e3 meetings to discuss details. (5 minutes) (optional)

   • Refreshments. Provide refreshments or meal as planned, and socialize as time permits.

Optional Setting: In the front of the room in an appropriate place, set a draped table with a Bible and a large candle on it. When you are ready to begin the Opening Prayer Ritual, light the candle. You can substitute an icon of Christ or an appropriate banner for any of these elements. Be creative.

First Reader:
A reading from the Gospel of Matthew (5:13-16):

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”*

Pause for a moment of silent reflection.

Second Reader:

Jesus tells us that we are salt of the earth. He says that we are the light of the world. As followers of Jesus, we are called and empowered to let his life and love shine through us. In many ways during our days—at home, at work, at church, in the community—we can be salt and light. Through our words and deeds we share the good news of Jesus. Let us pause silently and ask the Holy Spirit to bring to our minds ways that we, as salt and light, can be sharers of the good news.

Pause for silent reflection.

First Reader:

When with our families…	All Respond: Lord, help us share the good news through word and deed.
When at work…	All Respond: Lord, help us share the good news through word and deed.
In our church…	All Respond: Lord, help us share the good news through word and deed.
In our community…	All Respond: Lord, help us share the good news through word and deed.
Feel free to add your own petitions…
	All Respond: Lord, help us share the good news through word and deed.

Second Reader:
Let us pray together:

All:
Our Father, who art in heaven…

*New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Optional Setting: In the front of the room in an appropriate place, set a draped table with a Bible and a large candle on it. Small candles are nearby or on the table. When you are ready to begin the Opening Prayer Ritual, one person lights the candle. You can substitute an icon of Christ or an appropriate banner for any of these elements. Be creative. (This prayer service works best with a small group unless you have sufficient candles for a large group.)

Leader:
Christ is the light of the world.

All:
Thanks be to God!

Each participant comes to the large candle and lights a small candle from it, while saying,

Lord, may I share your light with others.

When everyone is holding a lit candle, the leader says:

Leader:
Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Let us ask God for the grace to live as children of the light who share his light through our words and deeds.

The leader then invites those gathered together to think of ways they can follow the example of Jesus and live as children of the light. The leader asks them to think of a way they can share the good news at home with family, …or at work, …or in the church, …or in the community.

After a time of quiet reflection, the leader invites responses with these or similar words:

Leader:
Lord, help us let your light shine through us in our words and deeds.

Those who wish may speak the examples that came to mind during the time of silent reflection. After each one, all pray:

Lord, help us let your light shine through us in our words and deeds.

After all who wish to speak have done so, the leader prays:

Leader:
The light of God’s love given us at baptism still burns within us. May that light burn ever more brightly. May it shine through us through our words and deeds.

All pray the Lord’s Prayer together and then blow out the candles.

All:
Our Father who art in heaven…