Who is the Facilitator Guide for?

The facilitator guide is for:

• People who are discerning facilitation and want to better understand what the circle process involves before applying for a training
• People who are previously trained in circle process and are looking for a refresher or to revisit the process with a ministry lens
• People who are curious about ways to support broadening synodal processes and are looking for tools to engage their community

If you are planning to facilitate conversations in communion, the Facilitator Guide should not be used in isolation. It should be paired with training, experiences of participating in circle processes, and additional resources.

Who is the Companion Training for?

The Conversations in Communion Companion Training is ideal for individuals who:

• Desire to become a facilitator of community-building circle processes
• Lead small groups in Catholic parishes or ministry networks
• Are familiar with restorative practices and/or synodality as this prior experience strengthens both the individual and group experience

Why should I apply for the training if the facilitator guide is available?

Reading about the process is one thing, experiencing it in a learning community is another. This training provides immersive, prayerful formation in a cohort of peers. You will be accompanied by experienced facilitators from similar contexts and become a part of an active and growing RJ Ministry Community of Practice, available to you during the three sessions, but afterward as well. 

Will the Companion Training prepare me to facilitate harm repair or conflict circles?

No. Conversations in Communion was designed for community-building circles. For this reason, it is not intended to address restorative interventions for targeted and systemic harms. If your community is in need of a restorative justice facilitator to assist in attending to acute, historical, or complex harms, please contact CMN for recommendations.

What is the time commitment of the training?

Each training cohort consists of three, three-hour sessions on zoom and involves approximately 30-60 minutes with preparation material ahead of each session. It is critical that a participant is able to attend all sessions. Additionally, between session 2 and 3, all participants are asked to prepare a circle process outline to receive peer feedback during the final session. 

What is the cost of the training?

$150 for all three sessions. Scholarship opportunities are available. 

How do I sign up for the Companion Training?

Fill out the application form! The application itself is intended to be a part of your discernment. Please take time to answer each question in detail, as your responses help inform the selection and facilitator preparation process. Submission of this application is not a guarantee of participation. 

I just filled out the application form. When will I hear back?

You will receive an automatic email confirmation that your application has been received after filling out the application form. The facilitator team will carefully review all applications. You will then receive a personal email from the Program Coordinator to inform you if your application was accepted. If so, you will receive a link to confirm your spot and pay the registration fee. The delay in notification depends on how far in advance the cohort is scheduled. 

I can’t make one session of a cohort. Can I still sign up?

Due to the highly interactive nature of this program, it is important that participants be able to attend all three sessions. If you are unable to attend one or more, please consider signing up for a different cohort. 

I am available for several of the cohort dates listed. Which one should I select?

Please select all cohorts for which you are available on all three dates. If you have a preference for one over another, please note that in the “additional comments/questions” field.

How large are the cohorts? Can I sign up with a group?

Cohorts consist of 8-12 people. If you’d like to take the training with a small group, please have all individuals apply and indicate on the application that you would like to take the training together as part of a group. It is likely that we’d be able to have you in the same cohort, but if not, you’d be exposed to the same content and can share learnings. If you have a larger group (6-12 people) who would like to train together, reach out to us so we can find a time to talk and discuss possibilities.

When I finish the training, will I be certified?

Conversations in Communion was designed to support parish and ministry groups in holding community-building circle processes. It is not a certification to facilitate all types of circle processes and does not prepare facilitators for targeted (acute harm repair) or systemic interventions (historical and institutional harm repair). 

CMN can provide a certificate of completion that affirms your participation in the training with an explainer of what it entailed.

After I go through the companion training, can I train others as facilitators? 

Conversations in Communion is not a “train the trainer” program. In order to train others in circle process/conversations in communion, a person must first build and practice their own skills through facilitation experience. If you wish to host a Companion Training specifically for your group, CMN would be happy to coordinate with our Trainer Co-Facilitation Team. Please contact the Program Coordinator to discuss options and cost.

Launch Webinar

In May 2024, CMN hosted an introductory webinar to launch the Conversations in Communion program. Watch this recording to learn more.