Becoming the Disciples Jesus Calls Us to Be
St. John the Evangelist Staff Retreat at Marytown
What does it mean to be a parish that doesn't simply make disciples but makes disciples who make disciples? That question was at the heart of SJE's overnight spiritual staff retreat earlier this month at the beautiful campus of Marytown in Libertyville, Illinois.
Intentionally calling upon the Holy Spirit from the very beginning, the retreat was filled with Daily Mass, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration, presentations, and small-group discussions. It was a time to step away from the busyness of parish life, listen for God's direction, and reflect on how each person's unique strengths and weaknesses contribute to the SJE team and family.
The retreat also provided an opportunity to revisit SJE's four core values: Spirit-led, Growth-driven, Generously Engaged, and Radical Ownership. These are more than words describing how we work together; they reflect how we are called to live as disciples on mission. Discussions focused on what it means to lean into the Holy Spirit and allow Him to transform us into the disciples and disciple-makers God is calling us to be.
We cannot give what we do not have, so our own daily walk with Jesus must come first. We reflected on God's generosity, recognizing that we can never outgive Him, and on the importance of taking ownership of our individual responsibilities while helping one another succeed. One thought captured that spirit particularly well: “Own my part and help you own yours.”
Staff also explored what makes a healthy, effective team by reflecting on three qualities: humble, hungry, and smart. Being humble means putting the mission ahead of ourselves, sharing credit, accepting constructive criticism, and defining success collectively rather than individually. Being hungry means continually striving to grow because good is never good enough when we are serving God and His people. Being smart means developing emotional intelligence: understanding ourselves, regulating our reactions, practicing empathy, and recognizing what others may need in a given situation.
Together, these qualities help us recognize that we are not all gifted in the same ways—and that is precisely why we need one another. Discipleship is lived through relationships, both our relationship with God and our relationships with the people He places in our lives. We make disciples not simply by what we teach, but by the example of how we live.
A significant portion of the retreat centered on Father Sammie Maletta's continued prompting by the Holy Spirit to prayerfully discern the next steps in deepening SJE's culture of discipleship. Rooted in the question, “Lord, what do You want of us?”, Father's vision stems from Jesus' final command in Matthew 28:19–20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” From that Scripture came the mission that continues to guide SJE: “Be disciples who make disciples who love God, love others, and serve the poor.” Through Alpha, the Rescue Project, Connect Groups, Encounter, youth ministry, outreach, and countless other ministries, SJE has created opportunities for people to encounter Christ. But Father continues to ask a deeper question: Are we truly making disciples? A disciple is someone who knows Jesus personally, allows Him to transform his or her life, and joyfully shares His love with others.
One opportunity discussed is helping some parish partners become spiritual allies to others who desire to go deeper in their faith. This is already happening organically at SJE. People are walking alongside one another through life's joys, struggles, and uncertainties, offering encouragement, prayer, and reminders to trust in God. Father would like to build upon these natural relationships and discern how something similar might be encouraged and sustained by others, beginning with a team of Twelve. The goal for this initial group is to grow in strength and number.
The idea is not to create it as a staff-directed program, rather, a mission driven by and with the Holy Spirit. Father believes this kind of spiritual accompaniment must be born of genuine openness to the Spirit's leading, allowing relationships and discipleship to grow naturally. The discussions also included the possibility of learning from an existing group whose mission is to form missionary disciples through mentoring, spiritual accompaniment, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. There is no desire to reinvent the wheel, but to recognize what God is already doing and prayerfully build upon it.
Father Maletta's vision is still unfolding, and there is much prayer and discernment ahead. The retreat was not about announcing a finished plan, but about listening, asking questions, recognizing the gifts God has placed within the SJE family, and remaining open to where He leads.
Ultimately, knowing Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committing ourselves to His mission cannot be accomplished through programs alone. It happens through personal relationships, authentic witness, and a willingness to walk with one another toward Christ. The goal is not simply greater participation at SJE, but more transformed lives—and more disciples who joyfully help others become disciples. As we continue to ask the Holy Spirit to guide our next steps, the invitation remains the same: Meet the moment. Become the disciples Jesus calls us to be—and help others do the same.
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