“Valuable.” “Faith-deepening.” “Exactly what I needed.”

The purpose of the six-session Parish Consultation with Small Groups was to provide Archbishop Bernard Hebda with feedback on the Archdiocesan Synod’s three focus areas: discipleship, evangelization, and youth and young adults. But, organizers also saw early on that they could be a source of parish unity and an inspiration for individuals and parish communities. Following the last sessions in mid-November, Synod Small Group organizers asked a small selection of participants what the Synod Small Groups meant to them. Their responses:

The Small Group Synod videos clarified the objectives and process of the Synod. They also lead you prayerfully into each subject to discuss. Each video increased my knowledge of my Catholic faith and taught me ways to deepen my relationship with my Lord. Absolutely well worth my time! This is a thought on the Small Group process as a whole: The Small Group process was well thought out, the videos thought provoking and faith deepening. The structure of the Small Group gave each person an opportunity for their thoughts to be heard by the Small Group and the archdiocese. Coming from a small rural parish, it’s reassuring to know the archdiocese hears our voices.

Brenda Fitterer
St. Mathias, Hampton

 

The Synod Small Group experience provided an opportunity to share one’s personal experience of friendship with Jesus and our life in the Church. I witnessed several benefits of the Small Group experience. A few of them are: 1) the hope that comes from thinking about Jesus and his will for the Church and our personal lives; 2) the increase in happiness that comes from sharing about Jesus within parish and family relationships; 3) it is helpful to hear about how our good Lord is working in the lives of others — in their joys and struggles.”

Father Randal Kasel, pastor
St. Michael, Pine Island, and St. Paul, Zumbrota

 

The Synod process allowed me to find out more about my fellow parishioners that I would not have known prior to the Small Group meetings. Their comments and insights provided perspectives that I might not have otherwise considered. These meetings will help form a well-rounded foundation to help the Church move forward into the future.

Cheryl Tabbert
Assumption, Richfield

 

I would say that my original motive for joining a Synod Small Group was to support our local Church, but I ended up being very grateful for the experience. The people in my Small Group were people I probably otherwise would not have had the privilege to know on a deeper level. Even though we were all different ages and in different places in life, I learned so much from the members of my Small Group and was struck by their past experiences and stories of faith. I came away from the Small Group experience inspired and full of gratitude for these amazing people.

Audrey Moorhouse
St. Pius X, White Bear Lake

 

I am so very grateful for my experience with the Archdiocesan Synod Small Groups at my parish. The focus areas were well thought out. The opportunity to gather with other members of my church to discuss priorities within each of the focus areas, and then provide feedback, was quite meaningful. The video format for each discussion topic kept us all engaged with prayer, reflection, featured speakers and an opportunity to talk in depth with our group members. I knew I was there to provide feedback for our local Church, but the Small Groups also brought me deeper into my Catholic faith. I truly felt Christ’s love for all of us during the entire process. After each session I felt more and more encouraged and enthusiastic about the future. And, the song at the very end has become sort of an anthem for me. It was amazing — all of it! Thank you so much.

Trenny Greuel
St. Michael, Farmington

 

The Synod Small Groups were exactly what we needed. It brought a sense of belonging and renewed relationships. We felt like we were on retreat! Thank you for spiritually feeding us as we listened for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Judy Van Den Broeke
St. Paul, Ham Lake

 

The quality and relevance of the Synod teaching videos were very stimulating. Our Small Group discussions were enthusiastic and engaging. As a participant, I strongly felt that through the videos and discussions we were part of both a valuable archdiocesan and parish process.

Scott South
St. Paul, Ham Lake

 

The videos were well and thoughtfully done, quickly and easily leading our Small Groups into meaningful discussions each week. I remember writing on my feedback forms that I wished every parent, of both our school and our faith formation children, would be encouraged to watch the Session Six videos. I found the testimonies of young adults in 6B particularly joyful in sharing faith. Many of our 6B Small Group participants cheered and clapped as the 6B video ended!

Mary Trudeau
St. Peter, Forest Lake

 

I went every week to the Synod Small Groups and I loved it, I totally loved it! I was grateful for the messages and the testimonies. In the last week I was particularly amazed at the young people’s sharing of their faith life. I also valued the sharing of the people at my table that varied from week to week. Everybody was just very open and kind and willing to share and there was just so much growth going on in their hearts and minds. I gained from being a part of the Synod, so I thank you for the opportunity to have been part of it. We had a fair amount of people and there was just a very good heart in those people that I was able to talk to and be with and I thank you so much.

Mary McGrath
Mary Mother of the Church, Burnsville

 

After working over 40 of my 98 years in the educational system of the archdiocese, I welcomed the effort of the Church to recognize and search ways to meet the changing needs of our parishioners, and hope they have the courage to act and implement these enlightened and innovative ideas.

Florence Simon
Assumption, Richfield

 

I don’t know exactly what will be done with the responses we gave to the Synod questions but I do know that our parish, and probably all of the parishes in the archdiocese, have gained much from the process. The videos provided excellent material for stimulating valuable Small Group conversations about our faith, our Church, and what we as good Catholics need to do.

Joe Foley
All Saints, Lakeville

 

Editor’s note: The following testimonials were translated from Spanish.

My experience was very satisfactory. I was able to realize that our community likes very much working in Small Groups. Since there are not many people gathering at once, people open up more and share their experiences and needs. I suggest more resources for youth and children to make them more inspired to continue in their faith.

Clever Cordova
St. Odilia, Shoreview

 

It’s been a great blessing that the people of God from our archdiocese are taken into account in making decisions to implement in the future of our local Church.

Osvaldo León Valadez
St. Odilia, Shoreview

 

I can share with you all that it has been a very surprising experience to listen to the opinions and needs of our community, knowing that most people have a thirst for knowing more and fall in love with God. As at the same time, listening to what they would like there to be for young people and opportunities for them, since they are the future of our faith. I think that this Small Group project is very productive because you get to know the person a little further in their daily life, and everybody has time to express themselves and participate.

Teresa Estefes
St. Odilia, Shoreview

 

It has been a very beautiful experience. We have shared many things and I have learned from others. Small Groups help us to understand many things because in Small Groups, it is easier to participate, ask questions, and it makes us feel more comfortable than working in large groups.

Humberto Robles
St. Stephen, Minneapolis

 

Thank you very much for the great privilege that you gave me of sharing through these six past Saturdays. It was a great experience for me as I learned what God really wants for my family and me. Thanks to our catechist Rosendo, who has a special love for teaching. I felt like a servant of God and I am here to do “ALL” my sacraments. As well as to learn how to lead a Catholic life and be able to teach my children the path of faith. I am very blessed to remain in this parish and to be a member of the body of Christ — amen.

Antonio Gonzalez Tellez
St. Stephen, Minneapolis

 

The Synod has been a positive experience in the growth of my Christian faith. I got to participate in the Small Groups with the idea that I was going to serve my Church to improve itself, and I ended up being the one served by a very enriching spiritual growth, through Small Groups, listening to prayers, testimonies and teachings.

Jose and Brenda Villalta
St. Francis de Sales, St. Paul

 

I thank God and my holy Catholic Church for giving me the privilege of serving and participating in this time of grace for our local Church. Thanks to Archbishop Hebda and his team. All the material has been extraordinarily created: the audiovisuals, the printed material, the themes, the prayers, the testimonies, the distribution of time — EVERYTHING. I thank God and the Holy Virgin for calling me to participate in this historic and blessed Synod. May God the Father guide us with his love and (Jesus) save us in his Sacred Heart. And you, Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, cover our Archbishop Hebda and the clergy with your Sacred Mantle and always protect them.

Yuraima Barreto
St. Francis de Sales, St. Paul

 

My experience of the Synod was very important. It taught me how to be able to deepen my faith and put it into practice, with my husband and family, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I thank God he called me. Very interesting were the experiences of the people, who each expressed the faith they have in God. May God and Holy Mary always bless you all.

Ma. Elena Rozo Cornillos
St. Francis de Sales, St. Paul

 

It was a great blessing to be able to share with my brothers and sisters in these groups, where we have shared many beautiful testimonies and learned a lot about the teachings of the archdiocese. I have felt how God speaks to us through others, with whom we share. The Holy Spirit has enlightened us to be able to share beautiful testimonies. We have shared the faith in Small Groups. We have come together as a Church feeling closer in faith. Thanks to the parish and diocese for their teachings.

Eva Vargas
St. Francis de Sales, St. Paul

 

It felt as if the Church would care about the current problems in the world. As a teen and part of the Church, I felt they care about me, too. Since it seems that at Church the only ones that participate and belong to are the elders and adults. They are the only in charge of everything, and there is no participation of the youth. However, I felt they included us this time and they want to learn about what we think our struggles in order to be able to help us — that was great. I really liked that we had different prayers in every session, and I hope they can offer the right support to us.

Catherine Rodriguez, youth participant
Assumption, Richfield

 

My experience was that I learned more about God and my faith, also I liked that they included us, and my suggestion is to offer more activities for the youth.

Grecia Gaytan Gomez, youth participant
Assumption, Richfield

 

I went to the Synod sessions, and I think it was a pretty amazing program that you guys made it happen. I like how goes into the vision. It’s asking to hear about our opinions about things. (Archbishop Hebda is) willing to learn about our issues and something that we would actually like for our Church. I like how they separated the adults with a teenager, since we both had different perspectives. I like how they also took their time in the videos to explain things, … so we could learn at least or pay attention to a few things at least to get give feedback. I like the ending, how they had people share their own personal stories. Some people that were listening to their stories could relate or say something that was related to what they said.

Maria Guadalupe Ponce, youth participant
Assumption, Richfield

 

I had a great experience. It was real life people giving their life stories. We enjoyed learning about how they found Jesus and how he made an impact in their life. They gave example on how they found God and how we can find God in our parish. We also enjoyed learning about opportunities we can have in order to connect with God.

Armando Lezama, youth participant
Assumption, Richfield

 

It is more important how God sees you than how others see you. How the quality of treating others right, like Jesus treated others, brought my attention to the reflection when we came up with ideas to help others and ourselves.

Petra Ambrocio, youth participant
Assumption, Richfield

 

I am happy that I was part of this because it had been a while since we have not met in groups. We had new people in our parish and it felt good to meet them. In addition, it is very nice that Archbishop Hebda wanted to know about how we feel and what we think. It was an excellent way to approach him with our ideas. Many of us had similar thoughts about each topic. Moreover, I love that we prayed every time at the beginning and at the end of the sessions.

Oscar Perez, youth participant
St. Dominic, Northfield