Through a generous grant from the Tracy Foundation in June of 2021, our parish kicked off our work with Communio, a nonprofit organization that assists churches with evangelization. Communio seeks to help build families and relationships as a means of strengthening the parish community on a larger scale.
As we’ve wrapped up two years of work with Communio, it’s an opportunity to look at what we’ve accomplished and where we are going.
“Our initial grant is up at the end of this year but we are onboard to continue providing opportunities to enrich relationships,” says Gina Bergman. “The purpose was to implement and see how it can flourish on our own. We’ve learned so much and grown so much that we can use these tools we’ve learned from, and continue on our own.”
Communio’s mission is to “Equip churches with proven strategies and technologies to help solve our nation’s family and faith crisis.” Since the kickoff two years ago, we’ve been embarking on a journey of growth as a parish, while developing fellowship and community building along the way. From our involvement with Communio, our parish started the Relationship Enrichment Team.
“This ministry works together to provide events and support for families and couples,” Gina says.
The ministry has made possible events such as Parents’ Night Out, S’more Fun, QBC Happy Hour, and more, which have become staples in our community. It also facilitates the Alpha Marriage program, a course for married couples. At each social event, there is a certain element of encouraging deeper relationships between couples and families. All are welcome — parishioners, friends, neighbors, and beyond.
“Throughout those content pieces, we try to connect families or couples, just with each other to dive deeper into topics such as communication, conflict resolution, and ‘what is the domestic church?’” Gina says. “I love this piece Communio brings to it that focuses on how we’re reaching out to couples and families on how they can strengthen their relationships and families. It’s about fellowship, but also an opportunity to reflect on their own relationships.”
Coming up on Oct. 15, we’ll have the S’more Fun Returns event. On Nov. 3, there will be another Parents’ Night Out event.
For more information or to get involved with the Relationship Enrichment Team, please contact Gina Bergman at 217-430-6080 or g.bergman@cospq.org.