Parishioners from St. John the Evangelist in Paducah, participating in an Acts 2:42 small group, pose for a picture at one of their monthly sessions. COURTESY OF APRIL DUNN
You are invited to an Acts 2:42 small group celebration
BY DR. JEFF ANDRINI, EVANGELIZATION & DISCIPLESHIP
Calling all Acts 2:42 participants! Although May is a busy season, we are celebrating the value of having small groups in our parishes throughout the diocese and especially those who have participated in the Acts 2:42 Eucharistic Revival small groups. All parish small group coordinators, Acts 2:42 host team leaders, and small group participants are invited to attend.
The date is Sunday, May 18 and we begin with a 4 p.m. Mass celebrated with Bishop Medley, followed by a nice dinner and conversation. It will run 4-6:30 p.m. The event will held at The Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. Register at owensborodiocese.org/actsdinner.
We are aware that many participants cannot attend, but we will gather with those that are able and celebrate the move of the Holy Spirit throughout the National Eucharistic Revival in our diocese. Over 2,000 people have been involved in at least one of the two years of our Acts 2:42 groups and this includes both English and Spanish-speaking members.
There is a new book out by Michael White and Tom Corcoran titled “The Transformative Power of Small Groups” and I just read it. I wish I wrote it! It is excellent and right on. Our Catholic parishes need to be places of rich community, where we share life and mission. To foster this, there is no better way than small groups. In the book they mention the need for parishes to become a “community of small groups” rather than a parish that has a few small groups. And they show all the transforming things that take place in parishes that embrace small group ministry.
They mention the deep need for greater personal connections in our parishes. That groups are a place to mutually encourage one another in faith and lead to positive life change and growth in participants’ lives. Additionally, they are places of great pastoral care for one another, make communication much more effective, and increase the fruit of the mission in the parish.
Additionally, welcoming new members into a small group is the best way to connect them and help them to feel that they belong, leading to greater involvement.
We know that all of us are so busy with our lives that it does not seem possible to fit another thing. But ask anyone who has participated in a parish small group, and you will find that it was a meaningful experience that led to personal growth. And if not, encourage them to give it one more try!
While our Acts 2:42 small groups are coming to an end in May, our small group ministries are not. Bishop Medley will be offering a new series titled “In the Word with Bishop Medley.” It begins in September and runs monthly through May. Many Acts 2:42 groups will continue and participate, and all parishes are encouraged to participate. Want more information? Contact me. We will offer leader training and promotional materials this summer! Happy Easter!
Peace,
Jeff
Dr. Jeff Andrini is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship and can be reached at [email protected].
Originally printed in the May 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
