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Dear Friends, When Jesus called his disciples, he would say to them, “Follow me”. In doing so Jesus was inviting them to be part of his journey, a journey that involves a transformation both inward and outward. Jesus is still calling people to follow him. Through our community at Cabrini, he is calling you to follow him today. How do we follow? How do we grow as disciples of Jesus? What is it that changes us to be more like Jesus? We know the answer from scripture and thousands of years of experience is “It is the Word of God and the Spirit of God working together with the people of God”. Jesus taught his followers that the way to God involves relationships with others. Our interactions with other people are one of the main means God uses to teach us the truth and transform us. Relationships in the body of Christ are where we learn from others what a mature Christian life looks like. At St. Frances Cabrini, we are embarking on a new endeavor to be more intentional about creating those communities which are essential if we are to grow as disciples. This is not new in the Catholic Church, but has been practiced throughout its history simply under different formats and different names. Now it is our turn. Beginning in March 2022, we will launch “Cabrini Communities”. By forming smaller Cabrini Communities within our larger Church community, we will be more intentional about practicing the way of Jesus, together – transforming us and the world around us. As the family of God, we plan to take time each month to eat together, pray together, and share life together. It is in this ordinary rhythm of life in community that we become transformed to look and act like Jesus. How is this going to work? Now is the time to form your small group, your Cabrini Community. First, pray about who the Holy Spirit might be calling you to walk with. Maybe you’ll invite a few people you already know and care for and a few people you would love to know better. Maybe you’ll invite someone you know needs more friendship or care shown to them. Maybe you’ll invite co-workers, family members or neighbors. If you are married, you may ask other couples or maybe you desire to be with an all-female or an all-male group. How you select your group members is between you and God. Please, spend some time in prayer about this. Whoever the Spirit puts on your heart to invite, simply take a leap of faith and invite them. We recommend 6 to 12 people in each group. Each month the parish will send the facilitator of the group a prayer format, a short video from me, and questions to guide your discussion. You will need to decide where and when your Cabrini Community will meet. We ask that groups meet monthly and share food and drink together. You can do this in a home, a private room at a restaurant, or the Cabrini Parish Center. We think the entire monthly gathering should last no more than two hours. Once your group has been formed and the details have been worked out, I ask that you contact Ann Lenz at the Parish Office so that we can coordinate materials for you and your group members. What if you already have a small group of disciples you regularly meet with (i.e. CEC group, prayer group, Teams of Our Lady, CLC group, etc.)? Terrific! You can either continue to meet as you currently do or you can use the materials we are creating in your small group. Simply let us know at the Parish Office. To create a group, reach out to Deacon Doug at dalenz@archomaha.org (402) 312-3550 or Ann at amlenz@archomaha.org (402) 990-3296. Again, please let Ann know as soon as your Cabrini Community has been formed so that she can get you on the list to receive the materials. And so it begins… Please join us! Peace, Fr. Damian
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Cabrini Communities
