In 2003 the Paulist Press asked Mustard Seed Communities to write about its spirituality and the impact it has had on missionaries from the United States to our Apostolates. This spirituality has been put to pen and in the fall of 2005, Paulist Press launched Work the Word: Beyond our Boundaries. Our hope is to revitalize faith communities through prayer and service to the most vulnerable in their community and around the world.

Located in Mahwah, New Jersey, The Paulist Press is a leading publisher of hardcover and paperback books, audio and videotapes, educational programs and materials for parish renewal. The Paulist Press is the distributor of Work the Word.

1)  Order Brochure

2)  What is Work the Word?

3)  How It Works

4)  Chapters Promoting Work the Word

5)  Donate to help support Work the Word outreach

Please press here to download the brochure and order form.

Work the Word is Mustard Seed Communities spirituality scripted in a ten-session program. The program is based on a small group structure and is organized into two seasons and a service mission. It is rooted on scripture, the sacraments of Initiation and Reconciliation, spirituality, and the tradition of the Church.

• Revitalize themselves, their parish, and their faith community:
• Experience a deeper conversion, no matter where they are on their faith journey;
• Answer their baptismal call to discipleship;
• Discover the Scriptures in a new and relevant way;
• Live and share their life of faith by following Jesus in simplicity, freedom, generosity, and community;
• Serve the most vulnerable in their community and around the world.

The Work the Word program is organized into two seasons and a service mission. Taken together, these elements comprise a total of ten sessions.

• The first season is designed to help participants prepare for their service mission through prayer and reflection.
• Upon completing Season 1, they can embark on their service mission (Session 7) itself. This service mission can either be taken locally through a Mustard Seed Communities project or through a Mustard Seed sponsored Mission Trip in the world community.
• Following their return from th eir service mission, parishioners participate in the second season, which is designed to help them build on their experiences.

Sessions - Simplicity and Freedom

1. Simplicity of Faith
2. Simplicity of Commitment
3. Simplicity of Life
4. Freedom to be Myself
5. Freedom of Desire
6. Freedom of Action
7. How Can I Work the Word?

1. Mission Trip outside the USA
2. Service projects for Mustard Seed Communities
3. Service mission in your community

Sessions - Generosity and Community

1. Bread of Generosity
2. Community of Faith
3. Global Community

Each WTW group meets weekly to go over materials presented. With this format in place, WTW presents personal testimonies, scripture, and Father Gregory's reflection on this scripture, discussion questions that should invoke a concrete action during the following week.

The opening prayer and opening activity are meant to place the group in the presence of the Lord in a special way. We ask for the intercession of particular saints that model the virtues of the session.

The best teacher is a witness. In these testimonies, we hope that the participants can relate to the people who have shared their stories and their experiences. The participants are only asked to answer one of the questions listed. The questions have been developed so that no matter where one is on his/her faith journey, one of the questions would "challenge" them to the next step.

Ask different persons to proclaim the scriptures. Ask the participants to listen with both ears-one to God and one to the person proclaiming the word.

The reflections are written by Father Gregory Ramkissoon of Mustard Seed Communities and are meant to be thought provoking. Some people may feel uncomfortable, that is acceptable. Whenever God starts speaking to the hearts of his people, He always starts with "be not afraid." He is asking his baptized followers to join Him in what He is already doing; therefore, it is much bigger than what our minds can comprehend. But He has something that is important for his ultimate plan. We want each participant to experience a deeper conversion no matter where they are on their faith journey.

Our hope is that the closing prayer/ritual will be done in front of the Blessed Sacrament. For some participants, this may be new. You know your group, so we are leaving this to you. The "mission" experience exposes the participants to adoration. Therefore, we ask that you make adoration a part of your Sessions 8 to 10.

A very effective way to bring together those who might have an interest in Mustard Seed Communities is to have them experience our spirituality, the Work the Word program.

Work the Word presents prayer and action together in a way that most programs in the church haven't done before. Since this program has received the imprimatur - which is a mark of official approval from the Catholic Church - each Chapter can be confident that the WTW program is in line with Catholic Theology.

This is a particularly strong program for:

• RCIA
• Lent
• Confirmation
• Fall program
• Social justice

Here are some suggested ways in which your Chapter can help Mustard Seed Communities promote Work the Word:

• Encourage those who are MSC supporters to experience WTW. Ask them to consider being a facilitator for other groups. Leadership training is available.
• Designate persons to become ambassadors for WTW in your local area.
• Contact the Diocesan Director of Religious Education or the Office of Social Justice to ask for assistance in promoting WTW on a diocesan level.
• Approach the parish Director of Religious Education or Social Justice and ask that Work the Word be presented in the parish.
• If your parish priest belongs to a diocesan or specific order, ask him to share WTW with his order.

If your chapter is interested in leadership training or ready to actively promote the Work the Word program please contact Martha Gaynoe at WorktheWord@mustardseed.com or at the Georgia Office:

Work the Word Headquarters
Mission Trip Office
Mustard Seed Communities
2526 Mt. Vernon Road
Suite B-157
Atlanta, GA 30338
Office Tel: 404 936-7333
Office 2 Tel: 770 573-2397
Fax: 404 806-1770