“Small groups,” gatherings of 6-12 people navigating Christian life together, are the first priority of our Synod Implementation. Archbishop Hebda's desire is for every Catholic in the Archdiocese to be a part of a small group that renews and enhances each person's faith life.  

Why Small Groups? Small groups are an important way for us to form, nourish and shape our faith lives with others. They can help us, our family, and our friends to know, love and follow Jesus more closely and to live more joyful, abundant Christian lives.

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 Goals of small groups:

• To grow in intimacy with the Lord
•  To grow in love of one another
• To share Jesus with others
• To minister in the mystical Body of the Church
• To give and receive support
• To form missionary disciples
•  To train new leaders  

Starting in Lent 2024 there will be a wide range of groups being formed here at Saint Rose and throughout the Archdiocese.  Those who lead the groups invite fellow parishioners, friends, neighbors, or family members to join their group. 

To prepare, this fall there is going to be a series at our parish to help people gain the necessary tools and prayerfully determine if they might have the gifts to ultimately lead a small group.

We would love to have you there. 

There will be two training options at Saint Rose of Lima this Fall

A 7 sessions Series will be held in the Parish Center's lower level Saint Peter Room on the following dates: 

•  Session 1: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 @6:30PM
• Session 2: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 @6:30PM
• Session 3: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 @6:30PM
•  Session 4: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 @6:30PM
•  Session 5: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 @6:30PM
•  Session 6: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 @6:30PM
•  Session 7: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 @6:30PM 

Each session will last less than two hours, and will include times of prayer, teaching, and small group sharingSIGN UP for the Series

OR 

A 4-week intensive training option will also be offered in which two sessions will be completed in a longer meeting format on the following dates:

• Session 1: Sunday, October 8, 2023 @10:15AM
• Session 2: Sunday, October 15, 2023 @10:15AM
• Session 3: Sunday, October 22, 2023 @10:15AM
• Session 4: Sunday, October 29, 2023 @10:15AM (This meeting will only consist of one training session)

Because this series is a formation toward leading small groups, and small group sharing is an important component of it, participants are expected to attend most, if not all sessions, in person. Recognizing that life happens, there will be an ability to “make up” missed sessions, but non-live participation is intended to be the exception, not the rule.  If you know that you will need to miss more than two sessions (or one intensive meeting), there will be future offerings of the training. 

We encourage you to prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve God and others, and to grow in your own faith journey. Please reach out to our synod team with any questions.

Questions? Contact Rob Masloski, 651-357-1212 or rmasloski@saintroseoflima.net

 FAQS

•  If I participate in training, do I have to lead a small group? No, training is for the sake of receiving valuable tools and discerning if this task is something the Lord is asking of you. Furthermore, the formation will help you discern other supporting leadership roles within the small group, such as assisting with hospitality or music ministry, as possible alternatives to being “the leader.” 
• Do I have to Lead a group by myself? No one will be expected to lead a small group alone.  Leaders will be surrounded by a group of parishioners who are similarly convicted to support the leader.
• What kind of small groups will be forming? We expect that all sorts of different types of small groups will emerge.  Examples include (but are not limited to):  small groups among family, friends and neighbors as well as parish/pastoral groups among youth, marriage prep, RCIA, young adults, widows, etc.).
•  Do I have to attend if I already lead a small group? Current small group leaders are not required, but encouraged to attend!  This will still be a great opportunity to gain new tools and understand the mission the Archbishop has given small groups in our archdiocese.
•  What if I don't have the right skills? Good small group leaders have the desire to gather people together to pray or study or share the faith, and know that we were meant to find God and that we were meant to find him together.  If you can relate to that feeling, this fall's training is a great fit for you.
•   Will this require running a ministry? Isn't this the responsibility of Church staff? Small groups are not the same as "ministries" in the way we often think of them.  Small groups are not a Bible Study or a Prayer Group.  Small groups are people gathering to live and share the faith together, in a way that brings everyone closer to Christ. We all have the opportunity to share our faith with the people closest to us, in ways that are much different than what a Church Staff person does.

The long awaited Pastoral Letter on the Synod is almost here! Archbishop Hebda's letter will release on November 19, 2022. This letter will show us the next steps that will unfold over the coming year, based on the pastoral letter, and be particular to each parish. Hear more from Archbishop Hebda and Deacon Joseph Michalak on the Practicing Catholic show.

 
Click here to read the Archbishop's Pastoral Letter

The Synod is far from over! Continue to pray for Archbishop Hebda and the Synod procces!