Small groups regularly meet, worship, evangelize, and pray together through frequent connections, catechetical teachings, and intentional worship and prayer, to grow in their faith and deepen their connection with the Trinity.

Small Group expectations:

• Each small group consists of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 12 participants.
• Cell groups can meet weekly, every other week, or monthly.
• Most cell group formats will last approximately 1 1/2 hours.
• Depending on the teaching element chosen, the series could last anywhere from four, six, eight, or 12 weeks, or could be an ongoing formation.
• At the end of the series, the attendees may choose to continue with the same group and with a new teaching element, attend a different group offered within our parish, or start a group of their own. (New leaders need to be trained to start a new group.)

We hope to follow the example of the disciples by casting our nets far and wide to be "fishers of men & women," as we aim to grow our Catholic community right here in Shakopee, inviting all to join us in the “upper room”!

If you have questions or would like to sign up to participate in a small group or attend a future leader training session, please contact the parish office at 952-445-1319.

Be open to where the Lord is leading you and He will guide you along the way.

Who will you invite to join your small group?

• Write down a list of 3 - 12 friends, family, and/or neighbors that you could invite to join your group.
  • Look at your Christmas labels, address book, or contacts on your phone.
• Is there a group of people at similar stages of life?
  • Single or married
  • Couples or families
  • Newly married or widows
  • Young children or empty nesters
  • Divorced or fallen away Catholics
  • Men, Women, or Co-Ed
• Are you willing to open the group up to parishioners?
  • Is God calling you to evangelize to a specific group of people within our parish?
  • Is God placing on your heart a specific teaching element to help you & others grow in understanding?
    • Learn more about the Sacraments or something more specific like the Eucharist
    • How to have a stronger prayer life or to learn to pray Lectio Divina
    • Understanding charisms and inviting the Holy Spirit into your life
    • The possibilities are endless and there are resources available for most!

What will your 15 - 20 minute teaching component be about?

• See the next tab for a list of Archdiocesan-approved resources.
• There are endless possibilities but if you have content that is not already on the approved list, Father Becker would be happy to verify that your resource is Catechetically acceptable.

when and where will your group meet?

• What day of the week?
• What time of day?
• How often will you meet?
• How many weeks will your series last?
• Where will you host your small group?
• Are children allowed? Is there childcare?

• After being trained in the PECS program, you can start a small group at any time inside your home with friends and family.  We ask you to use the resources on the approved list or contact Fr. Becker to confirm the teaching is catechetically approved.

• You must complete the PECS training program. It is easy to follow and a wonderful resource to begin a small group that is opened up to people outside your immediate circle.
• The Archdiocese has provided us with a "GroupVitals" program that allows you to enter the small group information, track attendance and Virtus training, allow others to see the group is available, and let them sign up! 

• This option may be better to host in one of our parish social centers or at a restaurant or business that has a bigger space, can fulfill technology needs, or offers food and drink options.

Of course, we want to be sure our lessons are catechetically appropriate, and since we are not all theologians, you may have concerns about the "teaching moment". The Archdiocese has helped by creating a list of approved resources and we have added a few of our own.

As a reminder, the pastor (in consultation with our Executive Cell Team and small group leaders) makes the final decision on what content each group uses for its "teaching moment." Contact the parish office if you have questions about the resources that you are interested in utilizing.

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES!

ArchSPM & Catechetical Institute

• Lord, Teach Us How to Pray

Platforms with Various Content

• Vatican
• Eucharistic Revival: Jesus and the Eucharist
• Formed
• Word on Fire
• Franciscan at Home Catechetical Institute

YouTube

• Ascension Presents
• Bishop Robert Barron
• Breaking in the Habit with Fr. Casey Cole
• EWTN
• Pints with Aquinas
• Catholic Answers
• Steubenville Conferences
• Christopher Stefanick: Real Life Catholic

Podcasts

• The Bible in a Year hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz
• The Catechism in a Year hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Catholic Stuff You Should Know
• Ask Father Josh
• The Road to Emmaus with Scott Hahn
• Dr. Edward Sri - All Things Catholic
• Abiding Together hosted by Sister Miriam
• Catholic Answers Live
• Catholic Sprouts: Podcast for Kids
• Life is Worth Living: Teachings of Fulton J. Sheen
• Word on Fire
• Catholic Daily Reflections
• The Jeff Cavins Show
• Discerning Hearts

Apps

• Hallow
• Amen by the Augustine Institute
• Jesus Calling

The Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis has provided us with a video training series for the Parish Evangelization Cells System (PECS). The seven video trainings are led by Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Williams, and Deacon Michalek and walk you through the why, benefits, and how-to of small groups in a parish. Those that attend the training series are not obligated to start or lead a small group, or even attend one. This will be a time of discernment and prayerful consideration of where the Lord is calling you. Some may be led to lead a small group in their home, others may want to use their gifts to help with a small group led by someone else, and others may choose to just be an attendee.

Each of the 7 sessions lasts less than two hours and includes an Archdiocesan-led video presentation, as well as times of prayer, teaching, and small group sharing.

Because this series is a formation toward leading small groups, and small group sharing is an important component of it, participants are asked to attend most, if not all sessions, in person. Recognizing that life happens, there is an ability to “make up” missed sessions, but non-live participation is intended to be the exception, not the rule. 

Participation in the series does not commit you to lead a small group. Upon the formation’s conclusion, there will be a mutual discernment, which includes the pastor, on whether each participant will lead a small group and what type of small group s/he might feel comfortable leading.

Furthermore, the formation will help discern other supporting leadership roles within the small group, such as hospitality, communication, prayer, or music ministry, as possible alternatives to being “the leader.”

 We anticipate offering the training in the future for those who are interested. We are open to ideas of offering a morning session, after Mass, or another evening session. Please call the office to express an interest in the training and we can discern when to offer another session again.
 

952-445-1319  |  [email protected]

In January 2023, answering Archbishop's Hebda call to start small groups in every parish, Fr. Michael Becker appointed 12 members of our parish to be part of the SYNOD Evangelization Team (SET) for the Parish of Saints Joachim & Anne of Shakopee. Please see a list of our team members below. Feel free to talk to them about their experiences and thank them for their service to our parish's mission of making disciples of Christ.

SJA's inaugural SET team attended:

• Jan.: Many of the SET team members attended one of two Life in the Spirit weekend retreats.
• Jan. 2, 9, 16, & 30: attended 4 weeks of Small Group Practicum to "practice" a small group before going out and leading a small group of our own with people who have not participated in the training program.

• Dec. 5: attended a 4-hour video led "Parish Evangelization Cells System" (PECS) Practical Formation Day.
• Sept. 19 - Nov. 14: The team led and participated in the 7-week Small Group Leadership Training along with our "72" invited parishioners in a video series led by the Archdiocese.
• Sept. 9 & 10: assisted at Masses to invite our parishioners to join us at the Small Group Leadership Training.
• Aug. 13: a commissioning at our 10 am Mass, at St. Mark.
• June 28: Small Group Visioning Day led by Fr. Michael Becker, held at our St. Mark Social Center.
• May 20: Activated Discipleship Seminar, led by Archbishop Hebda, held at Williams Arena, on the U of M campus (See more below.)
• Feb. 7 - Mar. 28: weekly Tuesday night sessions at the School of Discipleship series led by Jeff Cavins, held at Our Lady of Grace in Edina.

Catechetical Institute's School of Discipleship: Activated Discipleship Seminar
On May 20, 2023, more than 1,700 faithful gathered at Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota to be sent out as disciples of Jesus Christ across the Twin Cities. The event was a key kickoff moment to launch the priorities of the Synod of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The day included talks from Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Bishop Joseph Williams, Jeff Cavins, & Mary Healy, as well as Holy Mass and one-on-one time with prayer teams. Adoration was led by our very own pastor, Father Michael Becker, who has been appointed by Archbishop Hebda to be the SYNOD Vicar of Charisms for the archdiocese. We had many parishioners, including our SJA SET team attend this event.

Watch this inspiring video on YouTube for a glimpse of the Activated Discipleship Seminar and see why our SJA SET team was inspired and motivated to fish for our next "72". Be sure to watch for Father Becker!

SJA's SYNOD Evangelization Team (SET)

1. Sue Broholm *
2. Nikki Giel
3. Amanda Grommesch *
4. David McAllister
5. Kelley McAllister
6. David Mulcrone
7. Diane Mulcrone
8. Jeff Patterson
9. Lynne Patterson
10. Rob Ruhland *
11. Jim Thelemann
12. Cathy Wideman

* SJA Executive Cell Team (ECT)
ECT information: ArchSPM.org/ECT

In January 2023, Archbishop Bernard Hebda assigned Father Michael Becker to be the Vicar of Charisms for the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis SYNOD Implementation. Fr. Becker is the first Vicar of Charisms in our Archdiocese. This is in addition to his role as pastor of SJA.

Fr. Becker will be leading events throughout the Archdiocese in prayer and petitioning for the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into our archdiocese and help develop the charisms of Catholic believers.

ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND...
Watch for multiple Life in the Spirit seminars offered throughout the Archdiocese annually. They anticipate three different weekend retreats offered each year. They also hope to offer the School of Charism Discovery classes twice a year.

 These seminars will help us strengthen our faith, deepen our knowledge, and grow our prayer life. When we have a deeper connection with God allowing us to bring back these characteristics and qualities and help build a stronger Catholic community of family, friends, small groups, parish, and Shakopee believers!

Fire on the Hill

• Second Saturdays, 5:15 pm Holy Spirit Mass
• Stay after Mass for Fire on the Hill, a time of praise and worship
• Prayer ministry for healing and prophetic encouragement will also be available.
• Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
• Presiders:
• February 10: Archbishop Bernard Hebda
• March 9: Father Jonathan Kelly
• April 13: TBD
• May 11: Father Jon Vander Ploeg

• Third Sundays, 5 pm Holy Spirit Mass
• SJA - St. Mark Church, Shakopee
• Stay after Mass for Fire and Spirit, 30 minutes of praise and worship led by Teresa Peterson.
• Prayer ministry for the sake of healing and prophetic encouragement, will also be offered at this time.

• Laura Haraldson, 651-251-7720, [email protected]
• Gizzy Miko, 651-251-7719, [email protected]

After three years of prayer and listening events with thousands of participants, small group meetings, video series, and a Synod Assembly with nearly 500 voting delegates, Archbishop Bernard Hebda released on “Christ the King” weekend (November 19-20, 2022) his first pastoral letter. Entitled, You Will Be My Witnesses: Gathered and Sent from the Upper Room, the document is accessible and inspiring, and well lays out Archbishop Hebda’s vision for a new model to renew this local Church.

Read the letter

Go deeper with these reflection questions for individuals and small groups, available in English and Spanish.

Archdiocesan Evangelization Prayer
Holy Spirit,
renew your wonders in our time,
as though in a new Pentecost,
and grant that this Archdiocese,
united in prayer around Mary, the Mother of Jesus,
and guided by St. Peter,
may spread the Kingdom of the divine Savior,
a Kingdom of truth, of justice, of love, and of peace.
Amen.
Saint Paul, our great missionary patron, pray for us!
Adapted from the Prayer of St. John XXIII at the calling of the Second Vatican Council

Come Holy Spirit,
Make our ears to hear,
Make our eyes to see,
Make our mouths to speak,
Make our hearts to seek,
Make our hands to reach out
and touch the world with your love.
AMEN.

Mary, Mother of the Church,
 Pray for us.

 OPENING PRAYER
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partially influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.
AMEN.

Mary, Mother of the Church,
Pray for us.

The Road to the Pastoral Plan

Archbishop Hebda's Pastoral Letter
 Archbishop Hebda considered the recommended Pastoral priorities and wrote a Pastoral Letter which was sent to parishes on the Feast of Christ the King.

The Pastoral Letter leads to a Pastoral Plan
 to move our Archdiocese into the future!
See the letter on "THE PASTORAL LETTER" tab.

June 3 - 5, 2022 - Archdiocesan Synod Assembly
 Pastors will appoint two members and an alternate from each parish from the team that attended the Parish Synod Leadership Team Consultation to attend the Archdiocesan Synod Assembly with other delegates from each of the parishes around the Archdiocese. Archbishop Hebda will also appoint more than 100 other members to participate in the Synod Assembly in keeping with canon law requirements. Approximately 500 delegates will gather to learn, pray, and discuss the Synod topics in a weekend event at Cretin-Durham Hall High School in St. Paul. Collectively the Synod Members will recommend pastoral priorities to Archbishop Hebda.

March 5, 2022 - Parish Synod Leadership Team Consultation
 Each pastor was asked to designate 5 - 10 parish leaders to discuss topics in the three Synod Focus Areas at the Parish Synod Leadership Team Consultation. SJA held this meeting on Saturday, March 5, 2022, with 11 appointed members present, to view the Archdiocese video, discuss draft Synod propositions, provide feedback electronically to Archbishop Hebda, and brainstorm ideas for implementation in our parish for some of these ideas.

In Fall 2021, parishes met to hold Parish Consultations with small groups.  Pastors invited all parishioners to participate in these small groups. SJA held six weeks of small groups and had more than 50 people participate each week.

The Archdiocese offered a "Praying with Scripture" video five-part series with talks and tools to grow in holiness. It is led by Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Cozzens, and Catholics across the Archdiocese. The five themes are:

1.  Prayer is a personal relationship with God
2.  How to listen to God in our hearts
3.  Conversation with God: acknowledge, relate, receive, respond
4.  Discernment of spirits: consolation and desolation
5.  Overcoming obstacles

Find the videos and other resources on the SYNOD website
ArchSPM.org/SynodPromo or ArchSPM.org/ministerio-latino/sinodo/

The Archdiocese completed the prayer and listening events attended by over 8,000 faithful, providing over 35,000 comments on what works well in our Archdiocese and the challenges and opportunities as we move forward together. Based on this feedback and other consultations and discernment, Archbishop Hebda determined these broad Focus Areas that will shape the 2021 Deanery and Parish Consultation process.

1. Forming parishes that are in the service of evangelization;
2. Forming missionary disciples who know Jesus’s love and respond to his call: and
3. Forming youth and young adults in and for a Church that is always young.