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Sample Conversations in Communion

Outlines to help you initiate conversations in communion in your parish or community.

About the Sample Circle Outlines

CMN offers a set of sample circle outlines intended to help facilitators initiate conversations in communion. These outlines were created by Catholic circle facilitators throughout the country working in a variety of ministerial contexts. Each includes some background context along with notes for consideration.

These sample circle outlines may be replicated where appropriate but are primarily intended to serve as a starting point and a source of inspiration. Because each outline was submitted by a different author, there are some variations in voice, tone, and structure.

Circle facilitators should always consider the unique needs of their group when planning for conversations in communion.

Please Note: These outlines should not be used without prior training in circle process and of consultation with the Conversations in Communion facilitator guide.

If you have not been trained in facilitating circle process, please apply for the Conversations in Communion virtual training.

Facilitator Guide Training Application

Types of Circle Processes

At the heart of every conversation in communion is the restorative practice of circle process. There are different kinds of circles processes that address a number of different needs. Before you begin planning, it’s important to consider what type of circle process your group needs—and what the facilitator has the capacity for.

Important Note: Targeted and Systemic Interventions

Conversations in Communion was designed for community-building circles. For this reason, it is not intended to address targeted and systemic interventions.

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.

Conversations in Communion focuses on the first three types of circle processes depicted in this graphic: connection, exploration, and discernment circles. These types of circles are designed to foster understanding and connection while addressing a range of occasions, situations, transitions, and needs common in parish and ministry life.

Below, we’ve provided sample circle outlines for these three types of circle process. This list is not exhaustive and is intended to grow over time. If there is a sample circle outline that you’d like to see included, please let us know by sending an email to CMN’s Director of Restorative Justice, Caitlin Morneau, at caitlin@catholicsmobilizing.org.

Connection circles help to strengthen bonds among community members and establish familiarity with the circle process. Even for groups who already know each other, these dialogues can deepen relationships and trust for more fruitful collaboration. Connection circles are a wonderful place to start for facilitators and communities who are new to circle process.

They are appropriate for facilitators who have attended the Conversations in Communion companion training or who have been trained in circle process elsewhere. Connection circles allow parishes and ministries to introduce circle process in a “low stakes” environment while still offering a sense of importance and purpose.

Click the links below to download sample outlines for these circles:

Exploration circles allow parishes and ministries to address opportunities, transitions, or topics of concern in a productive way that honors the voices of all involved. These circle processes are suitable for facilitators and communities who have some prior experience with circle process, including facilitators who have undergone circle training and facilitated several connection circles; facilitators who are newly trained and are working with a more experienced co-facilitators; or facilitators who have prior experience holding similar circles in non parish-based settings.

Click the links below to download sample outlines for these circles:

Discernment circles were created to address tough or divisive topics and weave trust in communities in a way that acknowledges our common experiences of woundedness and healing. These dialogues are appropriate for trained facilitators and communities who have had some exposure to connection and exploration circles; communities who have engaged in prior education on the area of focus; and circle facilitators who have experience holding similar circle processes in non-parish-based settings.

For these dialogues, additional preparation and trauma informed supports should be integrated.

Click the links below to download sample outlines for these circles:

We’ve created this Circle Planning Worksheet as a tool to help you as you prepare for a conversation in communion with your community. As you explore these outlines, consider downloading or printing this planning worksheet to take notes, and add prayers, prompts, and other details you’ll want to reference during your circle process.

Access the Worksheet

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The Conversations in Communion facilitator guide is a 40-page booklet that introduces the fundamentals of circle process and the role of the facilitator. Download the digital PDF or order a hardcopy version today.

Get the Facilitator Guide

Guided by experienced circle process practitioners, the Conversations in Communion companion training prepares parish and ministry leaders to facilitate conversations in communion within their communities.

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Get downloadable and printable materials to support your conversations in communion including prayers, guiding principles, planning worksheets, and more.

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