Just recently, I believe in a daily Mass homily, I mentioned that when I was discerning priesthood, I went on a “Come and See” retreat. It was loosely based on the Gospel we hear this weekend. The two Disciples are with St John the Baptist, and he points them to Jesus. They leave John and start to follow Jesus. When Jesus questions them on what they are looking for, the reply that is given is to ask where he was staying. Not who he was, but where he was going? Or any number of things they could have asked Him. The response was to simply come and see for themselves. This is an invitation to be with Christ. This retreat was focused on, “You may be considering a vocation, come and just find out more about it.”

Over the past few months, we have been doing some training of small group leaders. As you know the Archbishop has asked that in year one of the Synod Implementation, we start small groups in our local parishes. There is a set focus on what the Archbishop is looking for in the model of small groups. Many of you may have at one time or another been a part of some kind of small group. Often times they have some sort of structure to them. It is a true statement to say “There are many ways to do small groups.” Since the Archbishop is asking all the parishes to follow a set format to the small group, we have some who have been going through training in this “Cell” model. I would like to thank all of those who have been taking part in this training. I know it has been a time commitment for each of you. I also know that it will continue to be a commitment for all who take part in a small group. I appreciate this commitment.

The goal is to be starting these small groups at the beginning of Lent this year. You may or may not know but that is only a month away. I would like to ask you to consider, to pray about, and to be willing to be a part of a small group here at St Luke’s. I believe the idea is that these groups may start out small and would grow. They would grow by extending invitations to others to join your small group. As these groups grow, they will reach a point (say 10-12 people) that they would then break off into 2 small groups. Again, the idea isthat they keep inviting people to join the group and grow. In the beginning these would likely be all Catholic, but the goal is that the group would evangelize and start sharing their faith with others.

At the time of this writing, I do not know yet what that sign up will look like, I may be announcing that information at the Masses this weekend. There is a clear structure to how they want these groups to be operating. We still have one more Sunday night training, this Sunday at 6:30pm. I will be speaking a bit about this over the next couple of weekends. Our goal to start these groups is again, Ash Wednesday and Lent. This may be a great opportunity to get to know more people and have a group that may keep you accountable onyour Lenten practices. However, these groups are not meant to only be this Lent, but to keep going through the year. Again, growing and dividing. Growing and dividing.

The hard part through this whole process has been that this is not a one size fits all. We are a smaller parish then Epiphany in Coon Rapids (5,000 families when I was there 14 years ago). This has been a learning process for many, and some things are yet to be seen. A BIG part is going to be willingness to be open to the Holy Spirit. Early on I heard many other thoughts about how this could work; we are following directions from the Archbishop on making that call. I think part of following the Holy Spirit is stepping out of our box or our comfort zone, not needing control over every detail or needing to know what this will look like next year. Simply let the Holy Spirit work in your life.

I know life is busy and we all have a lot to do, but I am inviting you to give these small faith groups a chance. I was talking with someone from a former parish I have served; she stated that a group of them have already started meeting as a small group. She was really enjoying having a new support and waiting to see how this will develop in the future. Come Holy Spirit Come, Come Holy Spirit Come.

Blessings,
Fr Backer