If you have another question, post it in the comments of the St. Greg's Pocket page, or email us at LMLDblog (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!
Q. I don't think there are any other readers of Like Mother, Like Daughter in my area. Does this mean I can't have a pocket?
A. Not at all! First, you might be surprised — we have readers all over. Second, you can make readers by sending the link to our blog to your friends, or by sending them a particular post that you loved.
But even if you don't think anyone is interested in the blog itself, you can still have a Pocket. The idea is for you to have friends (just ladies, or just men [I mean, if you are a man — don't recommend this if you are a woman!], or couples) where you are who want to get to know each other. A great way is to discuss certain posts, articles, books, and documents — such as the ones you find discussed here on the blog — hence the reason we encourage you to use the blog as your resource.
But it's more than that. We are hoping that we are helping you remember what can so easily be forgotten in today's world: a community isn't just made up of those who think similarly. It's made up of those who will just be neighbors to each other in practical ways. We will take each other meals, watch each other's kids, visit each other in the hospital, and mourn each other's dead. We will do that whether we are best friends or acquaintances, just because we are thrown in together. But somehow, we have to get to know each other first!
So many times we ourselves have felt lonely or really stranded with no help. Rather than dwell on that, let's be the person we would like to have had at those moments — to others!
Q. So I should ask mere acquaintances to join my Pocket?
A. It's up to you. Why not? Wouldn't it be fun to get together with your friends on a regular basis? You can choose how! It's just about having a real plan for forming a community, and maybe you are the one to get it started — but you might find that others are much more amenable to the idea than you had ever hoped.
Q. I'm not Catholic. Can I start a Pocket?
A. Yes! Please do! The only thing we suggest is that you find this blog helpful and would use it to find others, and the only thing we require is that you make Sukie an admin. (All the instructions for setting up a Pocket are on the page for that purpose.)
Q. I am not on Facebook. Is there another way?
A. There is no great way to do this other than Facebook — for starting the groups. We are not fans, particularly. So we are going to include email addresses for you to contact a person who has set up a group even if you are not on Facebook. However, we remind you that you can join Facebook for just this purpose — you don't have to do the whole Facebook thing at all.
Q. So on Facebook we will discuss posts, etc? I do already have FB groups to do this…
A. No — that is not the idea at all! Facebook is simply a way to connect people. It would be better NOT to have discussions there! Rather, simply collect people's information and start up an email list-serve. But even by email, try to keep the interactions about getting together, NOT about having conversations online.
Q. We have a group that's very similar. Will you post it on your St. Greg's page?
A. If you make it a St. Greg's Pocket and make Sukie an admin on your FB page, yes. Otherwise, you can mention it in the comments, but no, we won't post it there. When someone clicks on one of those links, they are going to a St. Greg's Pocket.
Q. Shall I have Sukie contact new members?
A. No, she is not running your pocket — she's just there as an admin, so that we can be sure that our Pockets are nice — which, of course, they all are.
Q. I'm not good at getting new people together. I started a Pocket on Facebook, but it's hard to know how to get it going!
A. Different people have different skills. Maybe ask the members who would like to start meeting and who could set up the email account. Examples of meetings would be a knitting group with a post from here to discuss; a couples' potluck once a month to discuss homeschooling; a playgroup that meets at the park until the weather gets bad — bring your favorite LMLD post.
It will take a good long time — maybe years — for you to become a real cohesive community. But when someone has an idea, try it. Then be patient and be pro-active in being involved in each other's lives for the good.
Q. We had a meeting and it was nice, but it was not a great meeting of like-minded people.
A. That will take time. Right now your goal is to meet as many people who consider themselves somewhat like-minded as you can. They will probably not be your bosom buddies right away — or possibly ever! But that's okay. Take it easy and focus on helping each other out.
Q. What if I'm not fond of one or more people in our new group at all?
A. This is your motivation to include as many people as possible. In a big enough group, all sorts will find someone to be happy with! And you will find your comfy circle of friends. But the group as a whole will take care of each other. Do you see the difference? It takes time but hang in there. It's a new kind of friendship that's quite old: a community of people aimed at the same goals, rather than focused on whether they are exactly alike!
Q. What should we talk about? Do you have any list of articles and books to read together to get started?
Carolyn Hall says
Hello,
I’m still trying to contact the St. Gregory’s pocket in Kettering, Ohio. I’m not on Facebook, but have logged into my husband’s (not often used) Facebook account to try to search for it. However, I’m not finding it. Is there something I need to do special – I’m not familiar with FB in general. I’m so inspired by your encouragement to find our own community and wanted to seek out the St. Gregory’s Kettering pocket again. Thank you!
Carolyn
Suki says
Hi Carolyn!
If you follow this link do you get to the group page? https://www.facebook.com/groups/279739108899774/?ref=ts&fref=ts
If you still have trouble, shoot me an email and I will try to connect you with the Kettering people! LMLDblog (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!!
-Suki