2017 USCCB Convocation Participants Guidebook and Journal | Page 34

Preparation for the Convocation
the Convocation are meant to give the team an ample examination
of the current needs and issues of the Church in the United States.
Sharing information, especially what is working and challenges you
face in your diocese, with teams from other dioceses is an import-
ant aspect of the Convocation. Discussion among team members
prior to, during, and after the Convocation is central to a good dis-
cernment of needs, issues, and possible responses in each context.
Team-Building Exercises: Practical Tools for Formation
and Collaboration
Before the Convocation:
• Ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the team dis-
cerns, plans, and acts. Start your first team meeting with
time for each member to share their joys and concerns.
• Keeping in mind the co-responsibility of all the baptized
for the mission of the Church, consider who is not on the
delegation or team (for various reasons) but should still be
involved in one way or another with the Convocation.
• Read selected portions of Evangelii Gaudium.
• Look at the breakouts offered at the Convocation and
make sure that members of the delegation will attend
different sessions.
• Prepare to share what is working well in your diocese or
context: work together as a team to develop a “Top Ten” list
of what is going well and five areas of challenge that you
may want advice about. You might even plan some possible
new activities or ways of fostering missionary discipleship.
You can share all these successes, challenges, and possible
ways forward with other experts at the Convocation.
• Plan at least one time (besides the last day) to get together
as a delegation at the Convocation.
During the Convocation:
• Remember and/or write down a few specific points from
each session you attend to share with the delegation.
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