For five years now Corpus Canada has boldly proclaimed in every issue of  The Journal its main action strategy, namely "the creation of local  faith communities." What have we done about it? In my view, not nearly  enough. I feel very strongly about this topic because it is one of the most  effective, rewarding  ways to enhance the spiritual lives of the churched or the unchurched. And  at the  same time, it is the most efficient grassroots means of bringing about  Church  reform and renewal.

  Several months ago I was approached by a couple  who attend the local Ladysmith parish where the pastor is very sick and  visiting priests come to replace him from time to time. They asked me if  "I said Mass at the Abbey (our Guest House)." I said yes, >from time  to time, in the context of a gathering of a small faith community. They asked  me if I would "say Mass" for them here at the Abbey. I said no, but  that I would do so in their own home, if they wanted to gather some of their  friends together. They enthusiastically agreed. I went the next Saturday  afternoon. There were about 14 people, kids included. We gathered around two  tables set up on a large back deck overlooking the ocean which was about 100  feet away: oh! the beauty of Godde's cathedral. They asked me how I should be addressed and I said my name was François, but they could call me Fran. So  they call me Fr. Fran. Whatever.   To create a sacred moment before we began, I took my stole, kissed it  reverently, and put it 'round my neck and over my civvies draped body (I was  equal to them, but I had a presider's servant role to fulfill). We shared the  Sunday readings. I began the homily by pointing out the theme running through  the texts, set the texts in their historical context where necessary to  understand certain passages, told a contemporary story to illustrate the  theme of the texts, and then asked a question that called for an answer from  their own lives that was related to the theme. And I threw it open to them.  The exchange that occured then was incredible; it blew my mind. And it  happens like this every time we gather. 

  The eucharistic liturgy is short and  simple (Chris Diamond is very good at producing simple, yet moving texts)  with everybody participating. After, we had a pot luck barbecue where  conversation continued naturally along the lines of the shared homily.    And this has happened every time we have met, which is once a month. Now  they want to be a small faith community where the adults will gather to  discuss spiritual topics on days other than when we gather to celebrate the  Eucharist. I can't tell you enough how rewarding this is for me!, how much it  validates my servant leadership priesthood, how simply it brings about real  grassroots renewal.   Now, I'm not the only Married Priest building Small Faith Communities.  There are many others who have been doing this for years. I read their amazing  stories on the CITI-L internet discussion list  ([email protected]), and it inspires me to do more. Whether you  are a Married Priest or not, you can do the same.  And you don't need  permission from the hierarchy in order to build Small Faith Communities: the  right of association is incorporated in Canon Law.   Just Do It!