Christian fellowship is personal, prayerful and active — which is why engaging regularly in fellowship with others in small groups is so powerful. By encouraging each other with a common end in mind — eternal life in friendship with Christ — we work to better imitate Jesus the Good Shepherd in spreading the good news of the Gospels.

Building fraternity and evangelizing others in regular gatherings is the foundational premise of the Catholic Watchmen. It is the anchor discipline within the Catholic Watchmen movement that keeps men accountable as spiritual fathers. It asks men to minister to one another by engaging regularly in small groups, breaking from perhaps larger activities to dive deeply and share in their circle of influence — helping each other become better men. By providing encouragement and building spiritual strength through prayer, sharing experiences, witnessing and responding to the needs of others: “Iron sharpens iron, like one man sharpens another” (Prv 27:17).

From late September through mid-November, Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens are asking for feedback for the Archdiocesan Synod from small groups who will gather regularly during that time. This includes the faithful who may be in existing lay ministries, apostolates, movements, service organizations, etc., as well as other small group start-ups that may be created by parish leaders for this purpose. Our chief shepherd asks that parishes use the strength, insights and wisdom that can come from small groups to help him discern how to approach three focus areas — his pastoral priorities — across the archdiocese. This is amplified by our upcoming Catholic Watchman monthly prayer intention, “For the holy spirit to bless the faithful and all people in our archdiocese.” This ardent prayer, sincere listening and heartfelt discernment can guide all parish small groups that provide feedback for the Synod.

The talents, wit, insights and especially graces that can arise from faith-based, small group discussions can indeed provide valuable feedback for strategic and operational “church purposes,” maintaining and gaining the spiritual value for those who gather. Synod small groups, for example, are nurtured through prayer — asking God for guidance “on how we can more vigorously proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.” Christ knew that people who create common bonds of fellowship become stronger — no matter the task. Our task is trying to make our local Church better, meanwhile making us all better in loving God and loving our neighbor.

Small groups are asked to take a deep dive into Synod’s focus areas: to form parishes to better serve in evangelization, form missionary disciples who know Jesus’ love and respond to his call, and form our future — youth and young adults — in ways that keep the Church young and robust in the faith. Your participation in an existing or new small group can help the Synod prosper in shaping the future of the local Church — our future. Check out the details at archspm.org/synod and talk with your parish leadership about how you can share your talents via small group input.

The Acts of the Apostles tells us that, at Pentecost, around 3,000 were evangelized and subsequently baptized by the Apostles. What followed? The power of the Holy Spirit was not idle, nor did the Spirit choose only large group, grandiose opportunities to help the evangelists help others encounter Jesus. Witnessing, baptizing, preaching and serving those in need for the sake of spreading the Good News was much about engaging others in small group activities.

About 8,000 people gave input at select, larger-scale Synod parish events over the past couple of years, resulting in the areas of focus to be further discussed and discerned. Now it is time for existing and newly developed small groups to prayerfully seize the initiative and sincerely respond to our chief shepherd who serves and represents the Good Shepherd.

Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville, and assists the archdiocese’s Catholic Watchmen movement. Learn more about the Catholic Watchmen at archspm.org/faith-communities/men.