by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
I like to think of the sacrificial nature of Lent as an opportunity to abandon some old habits and maybe embrace something new.
With that in mind, I welcomed the opportunity to accompany the entire archdiocese in Archbishop Shawn McKnight’s initiative Renewal from the Heartland by joining a small group in my parish to explore the booklet “Beatitudes from the Heartland.”
My husband and I agreed to give up one evening of television each week to delve into the Beatitudes with fellow Catholics.
It seemed like a perfect Lenten journey, and it has been just that.
We chose to join a group of people we don’t normally interact with and were welcomed into the home of Roxanne and Mark Netemeyer, who hosted the four-week small group experience.
Our group was comprised of two couples and four single people. Some of us knew each other from Mass attendance or parish activities, but over the course of our meetings, we developed deeper friendships.
The booklet led us easily through discussions of how to live as Catholics in today’s world.
We explored the Beatitudes together. We talked about how we could adopt these Christian virtues in our own lives and then how we could extend mercy, peace and love to our parish community and even the whole archdiocese.
The supportive, accepting attitude of our group meant we were able to voice concerns and even personal grievances without judgment.
It gave us an opportunity to slow down, listen more intentionally and reflect together. I was able to witness how beautifully faith grows through sharing.
The individuals in our group were all Catholic, but we were on separate life paths resulting in diverse experiences that gave us different questions and concerns; but we felt welcomed in sharing.
I might not have always agreed with everyone in my group, but I was constantly reminded of how blessed we are to share a faith.
I think everyone who chose to join a group this Lent has experienced personal growth, but the Beatitudes from the Heartland booklet led us to extend our own mission to live the Beatitudes for the greater good of our community.
In our group, we often talked about how we can improve our parish life, help our clergy and ministries meet their commitments and become a more active, involved parish community.
I was especially pleased that the experience brought me closer to people beyond my group. I would see parishioners at daily Mass or in adoration with their “Beatitudes from the Heartland” booklets, and it opened up conversations.
I found myself discussing the lessons of the Beatitudes with many people, and I found that people really loved the idea that the entire archdiocese was involved in this Lenten journey together. I knew the concerns and ideas we discussed in our small groups were going to initiate positive change on a wider level.
As we help each other live the Beatitudes, we are also helping our parish become a sanctuary of mercy and it is wonderful to know that is happening in parishes all around us.
By studying the Beatitudes and listening for what the Holy Spirit may be stirring in our hearts, we are growing in love and mercy and extending that compassion to others throughout our archdiocese.
