A year ago, on Ash Wednesday, Our Lady of Peace launched a new venture to foster small group participation in our community. Three new small groups began meeting during Lent and have continued to meet regularly since then. The groups have ebbed and flowed in size, and about 30 people have been impacted by their small groups. Some small group members have generously shared their small group's impact on their lives in the last year.
"I find a small group really helps me on my faith journey. I often see a different way of looking at something- whether it is the speaker/text/video or the other participants. The real richness comes in discussion with others. I could watch or read things on my own, but hearing others' insights, reactions, questions, and discussions can challenge, encourage, or deepen my understanding. I feel more connected to others in the parish, and it has brought me new friendships and deepened them in a way that only discussing your faith and spiritual life with another in a safe space can do.
I have found that I am not alone in some of my struggles and challenges. Even if someone can not really identify with me, knowing they have compassion means a lot to me. Having someone pray with me or for me brings a sense of God's closeness."
Michelle C
"In my 70-plus years of Catholic faith, I have experienced blessed events, each of which has helped me walk more closely with Jesus. However, all those wonderful experiences are nothing compared to listening to the Spirit in my quiet time of prayer and contemplation. I am thankful for His grace during silence.
Our faith-sharing group uses the tools of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius' spiritual insights led him to create the wonderful tool of the imagination of the senses. We are drawn closer to the Living Word as we contemplate the Gospel story using our imaginative senses. We are encouraged to examine daily how the Lord is speaking to us. By sharing our personal stories, experiences, and struggles, each group member enhances my faith and increases my insight into how God works in each of our lives. My faith has been blessed by listening to their hope in a loving God.
Our gifted leader and a book on the exercises of St. Igantius have added structure for us to focus on our spiritual pilgrimage. Each week, the group is given specific Scriptures and personal vignettes. By reflecting on these weekly exercises, I have seen how the Lord was present in those trying times in my personal life. The group then shares what the Spirit has revealed to them. This faith experience has given me confidence as a disciple to better evangelize the Good News. We are called, especially this year of the Jubilee of Hope, encouraged by Pope Francis to go out and proclaim the good news.
I encourage all of our OLP parishioners to be a part of a faith-sharing group. During these troubling times we are called to walk closer to the Lord and trust in Jesus by having faith in the Gospel. He will heal our anxieties and give us the courage and peace to walk the Journey of faith as His disciples."
Jerry C
"This fall, Alpha was my first "small group" experience since moving to Minnesota about two and a half years ago. I was so thankful to be able to not only meet people but get to know them. Being able to openly share thoughts and feelings without judgment helped everyone open up within the group. The videos provided lots of food for thought and discussion. Enjoying a meal together each week was great, too!
As a result of my experience with Alpha, I joined the Advent "small group" meetings on Monday evenings. There were some people in the group that I had gotten to know in Alpha, some I had met before, and others I had only seen at OLP. All have become close friends! I have continued with their small group, which meets every other Monday. Again, I am thankful to share and grow in faith with this group. We have a group chat where we can share prayer requests, and we've seen some incredible, even miraculous, results from these prayers. I would highly recommend joining a small group. You will love it!"
Michele S
"The experience of being part of a small group at OLP has been enriching and educational; enriching for the connections we have made and the frank discussions about faith and life, educational for the interesting content of the meetings, including the Spiritual Exercises and Eucharistic Adoration.
There are eight of us in our small group and we meet once a week. Getting to know other parishioners and listening to their experiences and questions about faith has strengthened our faith. Our group focuses on Ignatian Spirituality; therefore, “discernment” is a recurring theme. And don’t we all struggle with discernment? What is my next best step in a decision that waits to be made? How are we called to respond as Christians to the issues of our time?
Discussions in our group have helped us wrestle with questions about how to live our Christian faith authentically at this time and place. Where are we called to serve? Are we responding to where God is guiding us? Talking openly about these questions has been the best part of being in our group. Over this past year, we have formed and strengthened true friendships and are so grateful for that."
Tine & Alan P
"Participation in a small group has given me new friends with whom I can share my Christian walk—sharing where my heart is with the Lord and being encouraged by hearing others' stories. Having regular opportunities to share my experiences and questions with others gives me an added sense of belonging to a Catholic community, in addition to Mass on Sundays."
Rick S
"Many years ago, before I joined a small group, I didn’t really think about my faith. I was searching for something, but I wasn’t sure what that something was. I NEEDED something! I was busy; we had two small children, and I didn’t have the time, but then I heard about small groups. At first, the thought of a bunch of “church people” I didn’t know was scary… I had never explored my faith, I didn’t really know what that meant, I didn’t know the bible, except for what I remembered from grade school, and I didn’t know how to pray or even understand why people did it. But I still needed something.
I remember going that first night all by myself. I was nervous. By the end of the night, I was sure I had found my “something”! I could not have seen what I had been searching for on my own. I needed community and I needed to find more meaning. I needed more meaning to my life and more meaning as to why I was in such a dark valley at that time in my life… just MORE. The conversations were real; the people were there to help each other ask good questions, and I didn’t even have to pray out loud if I didn’t want to. It was comfortable. Phew!
I know that taking a leap isn’t always something that puts you in a soft place. Several years later, when leadership wanted to mix things up, I joined a different small group (and my family joined me this time). We had good conversations, and we could put the kids in the basement to play together, so we didn’t need to get a babysitter, but something wasn’t clicking for us. We eventually left that group, but the kids made new friends, and we enjoyed talking to our former group mates after church each Sunday.
My husband and I started our next group on our own. We didn’t know any of the people who were coming into our home, so we were apprehensive. It happened to be perfect timing for all of us. At one point in time, throughout the next 12-18 months, we would come to need each other in so many different ways. We learned, we supported, we laughed, we cooked, we questioned, we cried… It couldn’t have been a coincidence. God put us all together so we could be there for each other in that season. You just never know!
Many years and many small groups later, here at Our Lady of Peace, I was excited to hear small groups were starting up! Who knew what would happen this time?! It couldn’t hurt just to try it out and see what happens. No one was going to force me to keep showing up if I didn’t want to, right? So, I took the leap because I now know what is possible in small groups, and I couldn’t let that opportunity pass me by. Ten months later, I realize I have a new little family in my small group. The support and love I feel from these people are a refuel for when I’ve been going on fumes. It has been a beautiful ride!
I don’t want you to miss this opportunity. Maybe you’ll go one night or two, and you just won’t be feeling it. You can try another group. OR, maybe you’ll go and your life will be changed forever. Maybe! You don’t know, so why would you risk passing on something that could bring you so much JOY? Okay, so you can’t find a sitter? Leave your spouse at home with the kids and take some time for yourself with a small group. You don’t have transportation? Note that when you sign up, and I bet a group member can swing by and pick you up! You’re a big introvert? So am I! You don’t have to talk at small group – you can be a part of it and not speak if you don’t want to (although I bet you might think differently after some time). You don’t have time? Here’s the thing with time – YOU get to decide what you make time for – it is a gift you choose how to use. "
Amy H
Small groups are a chance for you to meet new people and forge lifelong friendships, all while drawing closer to God and becoming, more and more, a disciple of Jesus. Everyone who calls themselves Christian should be part of a small group; they will encourage, support, and push you to grow. In addition to the small groups launched last Ash Wednesday, other small group opportunities exist at OLP that may fit your calendar; you can see all the options available at olpmn.org/groups. Through small groups at Our Lady of Peace, we can all draw near to Jesus, so as to draw others to Him, “for where two or three are gathered in [Jesus’] name, there [He is] in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20).
James Pike
Director of Parish Life
