To enable parishioners to have a tangible and real experience of membership in the
Community of Faith, our parish is divided into 50 Small Christian Communities. These
groups are geographically based and are known as Neighbourhood Support Groups.
Through the Neighbourhood Support Group (NSG) each parishioner has the opportunity
to associate with and get to know fellow parishioners who live literally next door,
across the road, around the corner or within walking distance. In this way, the
Gospel is able to come alive through the spiritual, practical and emotional
support that is given and received.
Neighbourhoods share special times and events together. A typical example would
be the birth of child and its Baptism thereafter. The members of the NSG share the
joy and excitement of the birth or are present at the Baptism. This gives real
meaning to the words used by the priest or deacon: "The Christian Community welcomes you
with great joy!" Real and practical support is given to the family of the new-born.
Many NSG's in the parish have become an extended family and experience the lived
reality of our faith. Please contact Deacon Peter Venter on peterv@fatima.org.za
