Bishop Andrew Cozzens began participating in a men’s small group back in his college days more than 30 years ago. Then throughout seminary, his years as a priest and now as a bishop, he has met at least monthly, often twice a month, with a small group of men who pray together, share faith and struggles, and support, encourage and challenge each other as they seek to grow in the Christian life.
“That kind of Christian relationship, that kind of living and active communion is how the Church is meant to live,” he said.
Bishop Andrew Cozzens
Bishop Cozzens joined “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley to discuss the value of small groups, which he called “an essential tool for Christian life,” for an episode premiering at 9 p.m. May 28 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Bishop Cozzens discussed the value of small groups as parishes across the archdiocese prepare to host small groups this fall for the parish consolation part of the Archdiocesan Synod process. He said the small groups will be rooted in Scripture and Church teaching.
“And that’s because we’re looking for answers as a Church together about how to make our parishes more evangelizing, how to keep our young people in the Church, how to be authentic missionary disciples. And those answers are grounded in something, not just our experience, but in fact, the truth of who Jesus is and the Church he gave us,” he said.
Some parishioners might choose to participate in an already established small group, he said. “They take our materials; they give us wonderful feedback,” he said. “They have a time of prayer and study and feedback together.”
Others can choose to participate in a new small group at their parish. “It can be a great way to meet people,” he said.
Participants do not need to share their most difficult struggles, Bishop Cozzens said, “but you will find, even in an average parish small group, that some vulnerability, some sharing of my own thoughts, my own opinions, even when I know maybe they’re not popular, all that’s going to help me grow because it allows for real, honest dialogue.”
Bishop Cozzens added that he believes it’s providential that “after COVID, this fall, we’ll have this opportunity to really invite people to come together in a deeper way as a community” — not just coming to Mass, but getting to know people better in the parish.
“It just might lead to making me feel more a part of my parish and more able to help in my parish and be part of that movement back to the Church,” he said, “which we know is so essential for our Christian life that we belong and come together to God, as God’s people to worship.”
Near the end of the interview, Conley asks Bishop Cozzens about how Gov. Walz’s easing of COVID-related restrictions might affect Mass obligation dispensation. To hear the bishop’s response and the full interview, listen to this episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show. It also airs at 1 p.m. May 29 and 2 p.m. May 30.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Kelly Wahlquist, who describes her upcoming “Cuppa Joe” talk on St. Joseph, the virginal father of Jesus, and Justina Kopp, who offers tips to parents about talking with their children about racism and racial justice.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at:
soundcloud.com/PracticingCatholic
tinyurl.com/PracticingCatholic?(Spotify)
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