The parish is a place that contributes to making people holy. It is a place providing abundant opportunities for genuine encounters with God (during Mass and elsewhere). A vibrant parish fills the deep longing everyone has — to belong and be accepted. These last 15 pandemic months presented some of the most exquisite barriers to these efforts in our lifetime.
The loneliness, isolation and sadness felt crushing to many. Parishes had to find new and creative ways to care for their people. Jesus commands us, “Go! Make disciples of all nations.” He delivered this mission in the first century and has in every century since.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Collingswood, took up this mission and stepped out in the faith of its patron. They began the great work to which Jesus called. Through the power of small group, the Missionary Discipleship team began the critical work of cultivating friendships across a broad swath of the parish. Faith sharing was the fundamental building block to build friendship, trust and real connection.
Pete Dunn, leader of this ministry, shared how important this work became for the team. They kicked off this initiative in Lent and prayed it would be fruitful. The big driving force was the pandemic itself, and using Zoom was the only path at the time.
“Parishioners were seeking connection; they wanted to make some friends and get to know others,” he said.
Armed with a deep understanding of this tremendous need, the team set about making it happen.
It takes planning, and the team started just after Christmas — the target was to launch at the onset of Lent. For the team, it was all about invitation into a personal encounter with Jesus through others, creating the belonging people so needed, and paving a real path to community building.
Margie, a new parishioner and recently divorced after a long marriage, said she was seeking a small faith-sharing group.
“I needed more intimacy. … I needed to be nourished in my faith. Being a participant in the small group experience exceeded my expectations because it provided me safety, sincerity and sharing,” she said.
Marnie Johnson, a participant and a parish catechist, said she was excited about the process. “It was a chance to connect with other people and share our faith journeys. It was helpful to gain perspectives of others, and wonderful to hear how other people experience their own sacrifices. Lent is a time of spiritual growth and I found it all so inspiring,” she said.
Dunn added that companionship was important to him. “I met people I didn’t know until this. These are people I know now, and continue to get to know. I have new friends,” he said.
From a facilitator perspective, it can feel like pressure. Kim and Bob Gardine were part of the planning team, and knew they would lead. Kim said people were not necessarily looking for answers but wanted company for the journey.
Fran and Bruce Boyer, long-time parishioners, who also helped plan the launch of small groups found the experience uplifting and impactful. Bruce was candid about his fear of using technology and thought it would be a barrier to intimacy and concerned people would not share as easily.
“The people were ready. … They just needed the personal invitation,” he said.
Fran said the experience really opened her eyes to the fact that parishes must have different avenues for their people. She shared there were young adults and busy parents who were so grateful to have this opportunity. These participants did not have the travel time before or after a small group gathering, but an hour using technology from home worked for them. These participants shared they could not have participated in a face-to-face group.
Fran said this is a wakeup call, and a big learning for the team. “We are going to have to consider hybrid offerings going forward to meet a diverse set of needs for people,” she added.
Pete said having good content and a structure with ground rules was critically important. For this offering, each group watched a short video from the Catholic Apostolate Center. Each week addressed a different element of being a disciple of Jesus, and ultimately a missionary disciple — one who forms others. There was also a leader’s guide and a participant guide to support discussions. When you are asking people to lead, and they have not done it before, some structure, good content and training helps, he said.
Kim, speaking for both herself and Bob, said she is convinced they got the most out of their small group. “We were not raised to share our faith. We have only been here two and a half years. We belonged elsewhere for 30 years and know some people here better,” she said.
“Though we think we are preaching to the choir, telling your story is so important. Stories matter … and they create bonds and friendship. You bring you. You bring your gifts,” Bruce added.
Some groups are breaking for summer, and they will gather again in the fall or for Advent. Others found such fruit in the experience that they are continuing.
“It’s a great way to rejuvenate your faith. If you are lost or in a routine, I think one way out is the small group. You realize others are struggling, too, and you are not alone. The Lord is at the center,” Pete said.
Such a simple and profound statement — the Lord is at the center, and he told us so. “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20).
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