What a super start for Small Groups! Alleluia! Alleluia!
By: Renée Culverwell, Discipleship Lead
Many thanks to all who participated in our Small Groups for Lent.
Ninety-three people participated in Small Groups from our Family of Parishes. We are thrilled to hear that several groups are continuing to meet on their own, some celebrating Mass together, others reuniting for a barbecue and others still meeting at a restaurant or at each others’ homes. This was certainly not an expectation, but it is wonderful!
Sometimes it’s difficult to share our faith, especially with people we don’t know. It’s an amazing feeling when you see the people that were once strangers to you and after having spent time in a small group with them, you feel happy to see them and you feel a bond of friendship or a connection that is unique. Your faith feels ignited! I can’t think of a better way to learn how to share your faith than with people of the same faith in a safe, caring, encouraging environment.
How is joining a Small Group part of the mission of being a disciple who reaches out to all? Starting “at home” in the family (of Parishes), by learning how to express your thoughts about Jesus and learn more about Him, learning how to serve, care, engage in Christian community, then you will feel more equipped to reach out and to be a disciple to all. It’s all about relationships with Jesus and with others.
Here are a few testimonies from some of our participants:
“I learned a lot about my faith, but also about how much more I could learn and do within the church. I really enjoyed meeting these people and I think about my experiences in it often.” ~ Katy Smith
“I truly enjoyed sharing my faith with others. As well, it brought me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow. It was a good experience meeting new people and sharing. I am often rather quiet and reluctant.” ~ Mary Blackwell
“I got to know people better and a small group gave me a chance to get support and encouragement from others. It was something to look forward to each week.” ~ Father John
“I enjoyed meeting new people. It helped me open up more with people who are in the same situations.” ~ Louise Stephens
“I met and made friends with new to me parishioners. I really got a lot out of the book and questions. The questions made me look into myself and changed the way I thought about various subjects.” ~ Pete Foley
“We had a wonderful group. I appreciated the openness of people, different faith journeys and different perspectives. It was a rewarding experience. It was uplifting to share faith and talk openly.” ~ Colleen Hunt
These are a small sample of many amazing testimonies we received during our ‘Celebration, Social and Feedback’ session after Easter Weekend. Thank you for sacrificing 90 to 120 minutes each week in a group and reflecting on the readings. Thank you for caring for others and being attentive and listening carefully to the members of your group. Thank you for relating to the experiences shared by others and offering to bring snacks, prayers and giving of yourself by sharing parts of your life and faith journey with others.
Small groups come in various forms and take different directions depending on the participants. Perhaps you did not ‘click’ with all of the members of your group. There will be other groups and opportunities to try, don’t give up. In the rebuilt Faith book that we read, Father Michael White and Tom Corcoran wrote:
“We know that to keep growing as a Christ follower requires others. In groups we help each other process how we follow Jesus within the day-to-day choices we make and directions we take. Groups are places to share how the truth of the gospel is working in the daily experience of members. They create a space to actually have conversation about faith. And, for many Catholics, that in itself is a unique experience.” (Page 140)
Whether you have had a fantastic experience or a good experience, we hope you will continue with your group or join another. If you missed this experience during Lent, we strongly encourage you to speak with someone who participated and join a Small Group. We will be offering Small Groups again before Christmas, during the Advent Season. Stay tuned.
