The One Accompanied 75
is for the whole parish to undertake a process of discernment to
evaluate current pastoral ministry and outreach programs. (Living
as Missionary Disciples, 2)
To create a parish culture of accompaniment, parish leaders should em-
power parishioners to begin the work of accompaniment not only in their
daily lives and interactions with one another, but also within the context of
existing parish ministry. A few existing formation areas where parishes can
effectively cultivate a culture of accompaniment are as follows:
Sacrament formation
The work of the parish and of the Church is to sanctify the communi-
ty through God’s grace and the sacraments. Receiving the sacraments and
sacramental formation often mark important spiritual transitions for indi-
viduals, and God’s work of accompaniment is easily visible during this time.
The sacraments offer opportunities for not only Divine spiritual accompani-
ment, but also communal spiritual accompaniment through the parish.
Sacraments of Initiation and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
(RCIA)
The sacraments of initiation, including infant baptism, Confirmation of
young people, or the RCIA, are fruitful opportunities to cultivate spiritual
accompaniment in parish ministry.
Infant Baptism
Parents who present their child or children to the parish for baptism
are approaching the Font of Life with diverse backgrounds and experiences
of faith. They may be seeking baptism because of cultural or family norms
or pressure, or they may have full knowledge of the grace of the sacrament
and seek it willingly. Whatever the reason parents bring their children to
baptism, the parish must be ready to accompany them into the community
of believers since baptism accomplishes this inclusion both visibly and invis-
ibly. A parish should work to incorporate these families into the community
by offering support for new parents through peer-led parent support groups
or young mothers’ and fathers’ groups. When new parents are invited into
the parish community and supported in their vocation and their roles as
parents, they form a more meaningful relationship and a deeper connection