What is Faithful Companions?

    Faithful Companions is an opportunity for continuing spiritual discernment and growth in the context of a small discernment group.  It is designed especially for adults and young adults who want to deepen their faith and practice as Christian disciples and want to share their experience with similar individuals.

How Does Faithful Companions Work?

    A small group of spiritual “companions” meets monthly under the direction of a spiritual guide or mentor.  The atmosphere is prayerful, respectful and confidential.  The format includes a combination of prayer, reflection, personal sharing, reflective listening and mutual support.
    Each participant has an opportunity to share recent experiences and to comment on what they think may be the spiritual significance of those experiences.  The spiritual guide and other participants then have an opportunity to share their own impressions about the spiritual significance of the person’s experience.
    It is not the purpose of the group or the guide to criticize, judge or interpret a person’s experience or its spiritual significance.  Comments are offered in a spirit of respectful affirmation, based on the premise that God often speaks to us through other people and a community of faithful companions who can help us understand our personal experiences.

What Is Spiritual Discernment?

    Spiritual Discernment (sometimes called “Spiritual Direction” or “Spiritual Guidance”) is an ancient spiritual practice in many religious traditions, including Christianity.  It describes the process by which an individual or group of individuals meet regularly with a spiritual guide to examine their lives, to recognize God’s presence, and to discern God’s will.  Spiritual discernment works on the premise that God speaks to each of us in our hearts and our experiences; our challenge is to become attentive enough, and discerning enough, to understand what God is saying.
    Spiritual discernment provides more support and encouragement than direction or guidance.  It is not the role of the spiritual guide or the group to provide answers, or to tell participants what they should do.   The role of the guide and the participants is to help each other discern, with God’s grace, what God desires for their spiritual wellbeing.  
    This is what distinguishes Spiritual Discernment from other study or faith-sharing groups;  the focus is on identifying and appreciating what God is saying or doing in a person’s life.  The purpose is not to create new personal friendships, but to establish a bond of trust and care which will enable participants to identify and understand God’s presence in their lives.

What Should You Expect if you Participate in Faithful Companions?

    If you choose to participate in Faithful Companions you should expect to grow in your personal spiritual life, your awareness of God’s presence in your life, your understanding of God’s will for you, and your ability to respond to God’s presence.  
    You should also expect to:
• grow in your appreciation for God’s presence in the people and world around you.
• be treated with respect and understanding at all times;
• be guided, encouraged and supported in your personal spiritual journey and discernment;
• have your opinions, insights, convictions and experiences treated with reverence and
   confidentiality;  
• never be forced to say or do anything which would be uncomfortable, dishonest or embarrassing;
• participate on a regular basis in a prayerful evaluation of the Faithful Companions experience.
   It is the mutual responsibility of the spiritual guide and individual participants to assess an individual’s
   continued participation in the group.  It is the responsibility of the guide to determine, if necessary, when
   a participant’s continued participation is no longer beneficial for the individual or the group.

What Does Participation in Faithful Companions Require?

     Participation in Faithful Companions requires that each person has a desire to know God more deeply, is willing to enter into a process of intentional spiritual discernment, and is willing to share their spiritual journey with others.  In addition, participants should:
• have an awareness and reverence for the Spirit of God in themselves, in others, and in the world around
   them.  
• be willing and able to be discrete, to respect confidentiality, and to accept a diversity of
   spiritual convictions, styles and expressions.  
• be able to attend regularly, listen attentively, and participate respectfully.

Who Should Participate in Faithful Companions?

   This experience may not be beneficial for every person, but most adults and young adults who have been catechized in a religious tradition and actively participate in a religious community will benefit from participation in a process of spiritual discernment such as Faihtful Companions.
    Spiritual discernment is not a substitute for personal counseling or professional therapy and is not appropriate for persons with serious psychological, emotional or spiritual problems which need professional attention.  Some individuals may find private spiritual direction more helpful and many participants may gradually grow into a readiness for private spiritual direction.

If you are interested in participating in a Faithful Companions group...

The first thing to do is spend some time in prayer and reflection about this decision.
• Are you at a point in your life when you are able and willing to focus more intentionally on your relationship with God and your spiritual journey?
• Do you think you would be comfortable sharing this experience with others?
If the answers to these questions are yes, or "I think so," visit with us about the Faithful Companions experience.

If you are interested in joining a Faithful Companions group indicate your interest here.
Or contact one of the following Faith Formation Team members:

Ellen Kuchera
Phone: 513-316-1122.  Email: dbqwcya@dbqarch.org)
Dave Cushing
Phone: 319-233-0498.  Email: dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org)

Last Update: 09.26.21