“My Son, Why Leave Now?”—The Power of Small Groups
Since my arrival at St. Peter, Chesaning, and St. Cyril, Bannisteron June 6, I have been overwhelmed by
your warmth, kindness, and welcome. Thank you for embracing me as your parochial Administrator. As we
continue building a vibrant and a viable parish family, I would like to share a personal story that changed my
journey to priesthood forever. In their books Rebuilt Faith(Fr. Michael White) and Transformational Groups
(Eric Geiger), the authors remind us that small groups are the heart of parish life. Nearly 80% of Catholics surveyed believe they are
essential because they foster personal growth, deeper friendships, accountability, and active participation. The Church
has long understood this. St. Paul gathered believers in homes, and the Church continues to remind us that evangelization happens not only from the altar but also wherever people gather to share life and faith. As
Pope St. Paul VI beautifully taught in his encyclical letter Evangelii Nuntiandi,
the Church must go where people live, work, and journey together.
I know this from experience.
In 2014, while studying theology in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I nearly left the seminary. Everything
seemed against me. I was learning French in a completely different culture, far from Nigeria. As the first
son in my family, I felt the weight of continuing my father’s legacy. At the same time, many classmates were
leaving for graduate studies in Europe and Canada. One friend and I even applied to a university in
Germany. We passed the interviews and language requirements. He left first. It was now
my turn. When I went to tell the rector, he was on a phone call, so I waited in his office. My eyes fell on what I thought
was a book titled “My Son, Why Leave Now?”
I was shaken. I became restless and walked out before seeing him.
Outside, I met seminarians heading to their weekly faith-sharing group called the Upper Room. I had
always ignored those optional meetings. That day, however, I joined them. As they shared their struggles,
blessings, and questions, something broke open within me. I shared everything. They listened, prayed with
me, and helped me discern God’s voice.
Later, when I met the rector, I asked to borrow the book I had seen. He smiled and said,
“There is no such book.” We searched every shelf. It simply did not exist.
Looking back, I believe God spoke to me that day—not through a sermon, but through a small group.
Perhaps God had been preparing me for that moment long before. When I was eight years old, my
grandmother took me to live with her in our village. Every evening except Sundays, she sent me to a
neighborhood Rosary group where children gathered to pray together. Without realizing it, my vocation
was already being nurtured in a small community of faith.
That is why I believe so deeply in small groups. We already have beautiful ministries in our parishes, including our
monthly Grief Group. But what would
stop us from beginning a Men's Group, Women's Group, Young Adult Group, Altar Guild, or Bible faith-
sharing group? While studying Clinical Pastoral Education at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse NY, I
witnessed the beautiful impact of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Men's Group in Baldwinsville NY. More
recently, while serving at Holy Spirit Parish, Shields, I experienced the Goose group under faith formation.
I also belonged to a men's group in Freeland that began over fifteen years ago to support a member
battling cancer. After he passed away, the group continued because the friendships had become a
ministry. It brought me great joy to welcome Mike McConnell from that group to Mass with us last Sunday.
Small groups need no complicated structure. They simply need people willing to gather, pray, listen, laugh,
cry, and grow together.
This summer, I invite and suggest to every parishioner to prayerfully consider joining—or even starting—
a small group. Conversations can lead to conversion. Friendships can strengthen faith. And perhaps, just
perhaps, someone else’s
“My Son, Why Leave Now?” moment will become the beginning of a beautiful vocation, a healed family, or a renewed life.
After all, God rarely changes the world by speaking only to crowds. More often, He changes hearts one
small group at a time.
Let us become a parish where no one walks alone, where faith is shared around kitchen tables as well as
the altar, and where every person finds a place to belong.
Fr. Vincent Oguejiofor
(Your new priest in town)
