Catholics flourish in small groups

Taking a cue from the general popularity of support and other discussion groups, many Catholics are turning to small faith-sharing programs to learn and grow. 

Parishes offer a variety of approaches to faith formation, for instance, such as classes, prayer groups, support ministries, and small faith sharing communities. All are directed to the same goals: continuing conversion through Sacraments, prayer, study of Catholic doctrine, and offering support and service to one another.  

For Michael Kubica of the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion, First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart changed everything. 

“I can’t begin to count the ways it has affected my life,” said Mr. Kubica. “My life went from ‘blah’ to ‘wow!’”

The monthly veneration begins with Mass and is followed by Prayers of Reparation, an Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart, and praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart. 

Christ’s hand

Though already involved in Eucharistic ministry and volunteer work, he has found further fruits of growing in faith through the devotion. 

“It’s unbelievable how He has touched my life,” said Mr. Kubica. “There is harmony in my family. I used to have a temper like you wouldn’t believe. Now I’m the peace maker.” Discernment of a possible vocation to the deaconate is next. 

“The Lord is calling me for something,” Mr. Kubica says. “I’m not exactly sure what. So I say, ‘Lord, I’m yours. Point me in the direction you want me to go.’”

Cursillo too

Barry Lupe of Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake is in similar awe of another formation ministry, the Cursillo movement.  Participants change their environments through the Gospel. 

“It teaches us to live our faith in the various environments in which we find ourselves – family, church, work, social,” he said. “It’s gotten me involved with people. I never would have done that before.” 

Cursillo teaches piety, study and service, so Mr. Lupe prays the Rosary daily, serves as a lector and pastoral council member, and volunteers with a prison ministry called Residents Encounter Christ (REC).

Cursillo saved Alan Johnson of St. Joseph’s Church in Scotia from prolonged grief after the death of his son.  

“For six years I would go to church and just sit there,” he says. Like Mr. Lupe, his commitment to Cursillo propelled him into REC prison ministry. While instructing others in dying to self and rising with Christ, his own issues came into the healing light.  “I suddenly had to deal with it. In doing the talks, I got my faith back.”

Shared journey

At St. Joseph’s Church in Richfield Springs, Nancy Brown, a parish life associate, and Catherine Mackin, faith formation coordinator, are reorganizing catechism studies for preschool through high school, and have added a field trip to Orenda Springs Experiential Center in Marcellus. 

“Students will learn team building, trust and spiritual awareness,” Ms. Brown said.
Responding to student needs and to parental concerns has made their program more effective. “I saw tremendous growth from the time they started to the time they completed their Confirmation,” she said, “They are putting their faith into action as altar servers, ushers, service to the parish, and attending Mass.” This is encouraging since, she added, “You usually don’t see them again until they get married.”

In keeping with the “Called to be Church” pastoral planning recommendations, Ms. Brown and Mackin are collaborating with Karen Walker, parish life associate at Thomas Church in Cherry Valley, to offer a six-week Scripture study this fall. 

Ms. Brown sees adults who would normally avoid small groups growing through these faith-sharing opportunities.

Mr. Kubica of Ilion sums up the products of personal growth through small groups. “We all just go to church,” he says. “It got to a point I wasn’t satisfied with being a spectator. I wanted to participate. It’s easier than you think to give your life to Christ.”

(9/18/08)