With the season of Lent here, the John Carroll Campus Ministry provided Lenten small groups for students to grow in faith and community with their peers.
These groups consisted of at least two student leaders from Peer Ministry, an adult chaperone, and a group of students, meeting once a week from March 10 until Spring Break.
Meetings took place at the chosen time and day of the leaders and reflected and discussed on new readings from the Gospel of Luke each time.
Religion Teacher Rhys Gadbois said the goal of Lenten groups was to “prepare ourselves body and soul for the celebrations of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.”
The leaders of the small groups this year have been passionate and faithful students looking to grow in their own faith as they help others do the same.
Religion Teacher Katie Smith, said, “We have encouraged each small group leader to consider the needs of the students in their groups and to base their discussions on what those students need.”
Mr. Gadbois said, “I do believe the leadership student-wise has improved in some capacity. Some students really embrace their role as spiritual leaders amongst their peers.”
Small Group Leader Reagan Kolego said, “I have recently been feeling I can do more at this school. I have also always felt that I could lead people more, and I have so much I would love to talk about with people. I think leading people to Christ is another way I myself can grow closer to Him.”
The students participating have been just as passionate about involvement in these spiritual experiences.
Sophomore Emma Keane said that to her, Lent is “a period to reflect on the kind of person Jesus was and how we can aspire to be more like Him. During this season, I give up something I like a lot, just as Jesus gave up His life for us.”
Everyone in the meetings received a pamphlet with an opening prayer, a reading reflection, discussion questions, a Call to Action, and a closing prayer. Each week the peer ministers have led the group through these pamphlets and discussions.
The Call to Action section provided questions for the group to meditate on and a suggestion of something to incorporate into their days to help them grow deeper in faith.
Mr. Gadbois said to convince students to join small groups, he asked students some questions: “Do you want to liberate yourself from attachment to mediocrity? Do you want scoff in the general direction of those cultural norms that foster escapism and distraction from that which is True, Good, and Beautiful? Join Lenten Small Group because there we laugh in the face of mediocrity and rejoice things that inspire meaning and virtue.”