Small Groups
Offer Parishioners Valuable
By forming small groups, parishioners are able to create a personal connection more easily with other parishioners, and grow in their own personal faith journeys.
Groups typically meet for about an hour and a half, and where they meet depends on the group — some will meet at the members’ houses, and others meet at the parish or other venues.
athering together is an important aspect of our faith lives. While we often gather in large groups — most notably, for Sunday Mass — gathering in smaller groups is a great way for us to build relationships with our fellow parishioners, study Scripture, and share our faith journeys with one another. Through our small groups here at Saint Michael Parish, men and women of the parish are able to grow together in faith. “If you’re not growing in your faith, you’re probably going backward — so the goal is to continually grow in holiness and faith,” says Michaela Moreau, Steward for Evangelical Catholic, Small Groups, and Bible Studies. “It’s so important to find like-minded people of faith who you can go deeper with, and talk about faith and Scripture. When you find friends who believe what you do, it can build you up.” The parish started forming small groups about eight years ago and currently numbers 40 groups with about 450 members. The first small groups were formed specifically for six weeks during Lent and Advent — however, many groups enjoyed it so much that they decided to continue meeting year-round. Over time, many new groups have been formed based on the needs of members. “We first advertise for facilitators, a couple of weeks
before advertising for members,” Michaela says. “I get together with the facilitators and we decide what day and time their groups will meet — some meet during the day, some meet in the evening, and they can meet any day of the week. I train the facilitators so they understand the programs and how to run the group, and then we open it up for people to join the group.” As Michaela notes, sometimes people come in already together as a formed group, and sometimes groups are formed from various individuals. “We have all kinds of groups — men, women, mixed, young adults, even some groups for non-Catholics and fallen-away Catholics,” Michaela says. “We have larger and smaller groups, ranging from six to 15 members. Some meet year-round and others only meet for Lent and Advent. I’ve worked hard to find the right spot for everybody!” The groups started out by practicing Lectio Divina for the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel reading — Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of reading, meditating, and praying upon Scripture. Over time, the small groups evolved to include reflection videos made by clergy, staff, and other parishioners, as well as discussion questions. Groups typically meet for about an hour and a half, and where they meet depends on the
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