We can help you build a culture of accompaniment at your parish!
Dream with us! Imagine a parish where every interaction is transformed by the “art of accompaniment,” which teaches us “to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other” (cf. Ex 3:5) (The Joy of the Gospel 169). Imagine a parish where relationships are more important than resources. Imagine a parish where our interactions with one another aren’t just transactional, but transformational.
Accompaniment affects everything that takes place in the parish, from evangelization to catechesis, from parishmeetings to personal engagements. The resources of the IMF – our academic courses and parish workshops- are designed to provide parishioners and lay ministers with a strong theological foundation in accompaniment, alongside relational skills that support growth, healing, and transformation of the human heart.
Begin a process of transformation with the IMF
Our goal in accompaniment formation for parishes is not simply to offer a workshop or day-long training, but to help parishes cultivate a lasting culture of accompaniment by helping them integrate accompaniment more deeply into parish life.
We provide accompaniment formation at parishes through a combination of parish workshops and academic courses.
Accompaniment Workshops
To kick-start parishes in their accompaniment formation, the IMF offers six-hour Art of Accompaniment workshops
These robust and dynamic workshops cover:
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- What accompaniment is and how it relates to our call to live as missionary disciples
- The relational dynamics, characterized by trust and vulnerability, that foster growth, healing, and transformation in those you accompany
- Listening skills to help you have transformational conversations with those you accompany
- A deeper understanding of the interior life and the dynamics of growth in the spiritual life
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Accompaniment workshops are designed for everyone in the parish, with particular value for small group leaders, Bible study facilitators, sponsor couples, OCIA and confirmation sponsors, DREs, catechists, bereavement and homebound ministers. Whether you’re accompanying others in a formal ministry or informally, you’ll benefit from learning to love and listen more deeply from the heart. These workshops offer something meaningful for everyone in the parish.
Form Spiritual Companions for your Parish
Parishes gain the most from our accompaniment workshops when several parishioners have completed SD1: The Art of Accompaniment. Graduates of SD1 are well-prepared to serve as spiritual companions—offering one-on-one, ongoing spiritual accompaniment to others in the parish.
Attending an accompaniment workshop followed by a few individual sessions with a trained spiritual companion provides participants with a powerful, personal experience of accompaniment. As Pope Francis reminds us, we learn to accompany by being accompanied(The Joy of the Gospel 172). Even those already engaged in accompanying others—such as youth ministers, DREs, and catechists—can grow deeper in their ministry through receiving accompaniment.
Develop a Pathway to Integrate Accompaniment in Your Parish
Creating a culture of accompaniment within a parish requires intentional planning, strong leadership, and a strategic pathway.
A Suggested Pathway to Cultivate Accompaniment Using IMF Resources
- Form Spiritual Companions
Begin by forming parishioners in the Art of Accompaniment through the IMF’s course, SD1. These individuals—trained as spiritual companions—will be equipped to offer ongoing, individualized accompaniment within the parish. They can also provide follow-up accompaniment for participants after the parish workshop.
2. Host the Art of Accompaniment Workshop
Invite the Institute for Ministry Formation to your parish to lead an Art of Accompaniment workshop.
Encourage participation from:
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- Key Ministry leaders who are already walking with others (e.g., catechists, marriage prep teams, OCIA sponsors, homebound ministers, small group leaders)
- Parish Staff
- All members of the parish interested in deepening their capacity to accompany others
3. Establish Ongoing Accompaniment Formation
Parishioners who have completed SD1 can be trained to serve as facilitators for IMF’s upcoming video-based accompaniment formation series. These sessions can be offered regularly at the parish, providing a consistent opportunity for continued formation in the art of accompaniment.
Beyond this suggested pathway, we also encourage parishes to envision and launch new, creative ministries centered on accompaniment.
Parishes might also consider training parishioners in the full IMF Spiritual Direction program. Dedicated spiritual directors would be equipped to offer deeper, long-term spiritual accompaniment, extending beyond initial sessions from a spiritual companion.
Additionally, equipping catechists with the principles of accompaniment through the IMF’s Catechist Certificate program can equip catechists to accompany God’s littlest ones in beautiful and profound ways.
If you are ready to begin the steps to create a culture of accompaniment at your parish, please fill out this intake form.