Parish Launch Kit
Everything you need to introduce LIT Groups to your parish.
Use what helps. Adapt it to your own voice. We’re here if you want us to help.
A. What is LIVE IT / LIT Groups?
One paragraph for bulletin, website, email, or ministry page
LIT Groups are simple, ongoing, Gospel-centered communities where Catholics gather regularly around the Gospel, real life, honest conversation, prayer, and mission. LIVE IT Toledo also supports personal daily prayer through LIVE IT Today, a brief morning encounter with God through the Gospel and the life of the Church. This is not another temporary program; it is a simple rhythm that helps Catholics live what we receive in the Church. Learn more at LiveITToledo.com/parishes.
B. Bulletin announcements
Short bulletin version
About 60 words
LIT GROUPS — Faith grows when we pray and when we are known. LIT Groups are simple, ongoing Catholic communities that gather around the Gospel, real life, conversation, and prayer. There is nothing to buy and no experience required. Begin the day with God through LIVE IT Today, and find or host a group at LiveITToledo.com/groups.
Full bulletin version
About 165 words
LIT GROUPS — A SIMPLE WAY TO PRAY AND BELONG What we receive at Mass is meant to become a way of life. LIT Groups are simple, ongoing, Gospel-centered communities where a few people gather regularly — in homes, around tables, in parish spaces — to share faith and real life, pray for one another, and encourage one another in following Christ. There is no expert teacher and no elaborate preparation. A short LIT Gathering Guide gives an ordinary Catholic everything needed to lead a meaningful evening: Gospel, real life, conversation, prayer, mission. LIVE IT Today offers a brief morning reflection so the same Word shapes our ordinary days. Men, women, couples, young adults, teens, and seniors are all welcome. Participation is free. A new Gathering Season begins soon — a seven-week on-ramp, with the hope that the friendships continue long after. Find a group, or offer to host one, at LiveITToledo.com/groups.
C. Parish email or newsletter
Ready-to-send parish email
Subject line included
Subject: A simple way to pray and belong this season Dear friends, Many of us long for two things: to pray more faithfully, and to be genuinely known by other Catholics. LIT Groups exist to help with both. A LIT Group is a small, ongoing community that gathers regularly around the Gospel, real life, honest conversation, and prayer. There is no expert teacher, nothing to buy, and no elaborate preparation. A short LIT Gathering Guide carries the evening. Each morning, LIVE IT Today offers a brief reflection so the same Word shapes our days. If you would like to be part of one — or open your home and host one — you can begin at LiveITToledo.com/groups. A new Gathering Season is beginning, which makes this a natural time to start: gather for seven weeks, and keep walking together if the friendships take root. Come as you are. You will be welcome. In Christ,
D. Pulpit or Mass announcement
Spoken announcement
30–60 seconds, read aloud
Before you go, I want to mention something simple. Many of us want to pray more faithfully, and many of us would like to actually know the people we worship beside. LIT Groups are a simple way to do both. A few people gather regularly — in a home, around a table — with the Gospel open, and they talk honestly about real life and pray for one another. There is no expert, no homework, and nothing to buy. A new Gathering Season is beginning, so this is a good moment to begin. You can find a group, or offer to host one, at LiveITToledo.com/groups. And each morning you can receive a short Gospel reflection at LiveITToledo.com/live-it-today. If you have been waiting for an invitation, this is it.
E. Homily connections
Not homilies — simply possible connections when the Gospel or liturgical theme turns toward community, friendship, accompaniment, prayer, or mission.
Possible connections
Six prompts
- What we receive at this altar is meant to become lived communion — in our homes, our friendships, and our ordinary lives.
- The first Christians did not merely worship beside one another. They belonged to one another: temple and home, Word and fellowship, prayer and shared life.
- Holiness is rarely abstract. It becomes concrete in the company of a few people who know your name, your struggle, and your hope.
- Accompaniment is not a program. It is what happens when someone consequential to you says, 'Can we pray for that right now?'
- A community where people pray, laugh, suffer, forgive, and carry burdens together becomes visible — a form of life worth inviting someone into.
- Mission begins where we already are: friendship, family, work, and the person God has already placed beside us.
F. Invite people to a LIT Group
Invite someone to join
A few of us gather regularly around the Gospel and real life — prayer, honest conversation, and friendship. It is simple, and you would be very welcome. Come once and see: LiveITToledo.com/groups.
Invite someone to host
I think you would be a wonderful host. It does not require expertise — only a willingness to open your home, set the chairs, and open the Word. A short LIT Gathering Guide carries the evening, and LIVE IT walks with every host. If you are open to it, begin here: LiveITToledo.com/groups.
Invite an existing group to use the Guide
Secondary — nothing changes about who they are
You already gather, and that is a gift to this parish. If it ever serves your group, you are welcome to use the LIT Gathering Guide — a simple weekly Gospel format — in whatever rhythm already works for you. Nothing changes about who you are: LiveITToledo.com/gather/this-week.
LIT Groups are a distinct parish opportunity. Existing communities are simply welcome to use the Guide where it serves them.
G. Gathering Seasons
Invite. Gather for seven weeks. Keep walking together if the relationships take root.
The Seasons are easy on-ramps, not the lifespan of the community.
- Winter 2027Jan 24 – Mar 7
- Spring 2027Apr 11 – May 23
- Summer 2027Jul 11 – Aug 22
- Fall 2027Sep 12 – Oct 24
Seasonal invitation
A new Gathering Season begins soon. It is a simple way to start: invite a few people, gather for seven weeks around the Gospel and real life, and keep walking together if the friendships take root. Everyone is welcome, and participation is free. Begin at LiveITToledo.com/groups.
H. Links to share
Why LIT Groups — for pastors
LiveITToledo.com/parishes
LIVE IT Today — daily prayer
LiveITToledo.com/live-it-today
This week's LIT Gathering Guide
LiveITToledo.com/gather/this-week
Find or host a LIT Group
LiveITToledo.com/groups
Want help launching LIT Groups in your parish?
We’ll help you think through Hosts, timing, communication, and the simplest way to begin.
From Holy Communion to Holy Community.