Gizella “Gizzy” Miko’s first inkling that she might be elected as the English-speaking promoter of the global Parish Evangelization Cells System (PECS) came as she joined 14 other leaders of PECS in prayer about the upcoming vote for the roles of English promoter and promoters of the system in other languages.
Entering a chapel in a retreat center north of Milan, Italy, the city where PECS is based, she told Father Victor Vella, promoter of PECS in England, that she would vote for him.
“And he said, ‘Oh, I can’t do it,’” Miko said. “So, I sit in my chair and go, ‘Uh-oh.’”
Then something extraordinary happened, Miko said about the Nov. 11 election.
Praying the Liturgy of the Hours with the leadership group, this phrase caught her attention, and she quietly assented to whatever the vote might bring: “Lord, if your people still need me, I am ready for the task; your will be done.”
“When they voted for me, I said, ‘Well, this was what stuck out to me in the Liturgy of the Hours.’ And I just read it to them, and they said, ‘Amen, amen.’”
Miko, 34, the PECS and small groups facilitator in the Office of Discipleship and Evangelization in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, traveled to the Nov. 10-12 conference with Regina Mancilla, small groups supporter for the archdiocese.
They joined eight priests and five other lay promoters of PECS in person, including representatives from Spain, Italy, Switzerland, France and the Czech Republic. Online participants included representatives from Ireland, Canada, Hungary, Lebanon and Brazil, Miko said.
Miko’s involvement with PECS began in the archdiocese as Archbishop Bernard Hebda adopted the model both for parish-based relational evangelization and as the building block for renewal initiatives stemming from Archdiocesan Synods held in 2022 and again this year.
The archdiocese is the only diocese in the world that has adopted PECS across all parishes. There were about 2,000 small groups in the archdiocese as of last spring, Miko said.
“What I love about PECS is how Catholic it is,” she said. “There are the elements of Eucharistic adoration, works of mercy, being so closely tied to a parish and a priest and accompaniment. PECS encourages leaders of small groups to a weekly Holy Hour. It’s so Catholic.”
There are seven moments to each small group meeting for those using PECS: Praising God with songs and prayers; sharing recent experiences of God and group members’ response to him; a teaching element, with content depending on the focus of a group; discussing the teaching; parish announcements; intercessory prayer for people in and outside the group; and a healing prayer ministry within the group.
But PECS involves still more than that, such as an intentional intercession for evangelization that comes from a leader, and the encouragement of participation in Eucharistic events that a parish might have, Miko said. The archdiocese is growing in its use of all PECS components, she said.
PIVOTAL PECS
People around the archdiocese have been sharing their experiences as they participate in parish-based small groups grounded in the Parish Evangelization Cells System. The Catholic Spirit is printing the comments in its Commentary pages.
Her new position as English promoter of PECS for the next five years will involve traveling but she will remain in her current role with the archdiocese, Miko said. Online meetings with English speakers in numerous countries will continue as she encourages and helps shape implementation of PECS around the world.
Ideas she brought to the table before the vote included a desire to bring unity to the competitive spirit in parishes that have both PECS and longstanding small groups that do not follow PECS, Miko said. A unifying approach in the archdiocese, Miko told the leadership group, is encouraging already-existing groups to adopt elements of PECS.
PECS promotes accompaniment, and it would benefit from a process to accompany people as they take on new roles within the organization, such as her own transition, Miko said. Accompaniment also would help as PECS leaders are developed in parishes and encouraged to form their own small groups, she said. The international organization also needs to refresh its website, she said.
“They were excited with my new perspectives because I was like, ‘Alright, I’m going to need a lot of mentoring and coaching here,’” Miko said. “‘I’m the new person, so I just want to be a sponge and soak everything up.’ But a lot of them were like, ‘Yeah, we like your new ideas and your fresh perspective on things.’ That encouraged me.”
Evangelization is critical because “Jesus is everything,” Miko said.
“I’d be lost if I didn’t have Christ. I think there’s a lot of dark in the world,” she said. “There’s a lot of hurt. There’s a need for healing. And the light, the healing, the love, it comes from God. If we want to be a light in the world, if we want healing in the world, if we want joy in our world, we need Christ. I think a lot of people are looking for that, and they don’t know where to find it. But when they find Christ, that’s where they find it. And once we find it, how can we not share it with others?”
A YEAR OF PECS
As part of his pastoral letter implementation, Archbishop Bernard Hebda continues to encourage the faithful to participate in the Parish Evangelization Cells System (PECS) small-group model in their parishes. Throughout this year, participants shared their small-group experiences with The Catholic Spirit; read their reflections from the past year below and find opportunities to join a small group at archspm.groupvitals.com/groupFinder.
“My faith and spiritual journey are so inspired as my small group discusses how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in caring for our loved ones and those in our small group community.” — Julie Munch, St. Michael, Prior Lake
“I have enjoyed sharing my faith and growing in my faith with other couples from St. Mike’s (St. Michael, Prior Lake). Some of the relationships I’ve had with the couples in our groups have been due to a common interest, our church choir, for example, and WINE (Women in the New Evangelization). Yet, the friendships have grown in a much deeper way. When you share in these groups, from a faith-based lens, the intimacy in the relationships grows exponentially. The videos we’ve used from the archdiocese; our great host couple, Joan and Val; using questions to encourage our discussions and sharing from others have all contributed to my spiritual growth and desire to learn more about our faith.” — Michelle Ludowese, 55, St. Michael, Prior Lake
“I have gotten some good ideas on how to live a better, faith-filled life by listening to my group members in our meetings. Being around my group members, I realize there is more I can do as a Christian and Catholic to better my own life and my family’s lives, spiritually.” — Brad Meyer, 49, All Saints, Lakeville
“I have formed new friendships with others in our church. That is truly a blessing. Also, they pray for me and my intentions, and I pray for them and theirs.” — Bren Stepp, 63, St. Ignatius, Annandale
“Definitely a community-building experience! I am growing closer to others in our group as we, together, learn more about our faith. I am also able to offer prayers for their families.” — Diane Barr, 66, St. Jude of the Lake, Mahtomedi
“There’s something incredibly refreshing about being surrounded by people who share my values and beliefs. In corporate America and the so-called ‘real world,’ it often feels taboo — almost rebellious — to openly discuss faith, as if it’s an unspoken rule to keep those conversations behind closed doors. The pressure to conform, to filter yourself, to compartmentalize who you are can be suffocating. But here, in this space, there’s a freedom that’s rare. A chance to speak openly, without judgment, about what truly matters. It’s not just about faith — it’s about authenticity. About finding a community where you can be unapologetically yourself. And honestly? That’s powerful. That’s what keeps me coming back.” — Jordan Perttunen, 30, St. Hubert, Chanhassen
“I have formed a great support system with Catholics in my season of life, which is the type of community I have been looking for. I have a new appreciation for Scripture and I have been inspired to start ‘The Bible in a Year’ podcast in 2026.” — Nicole Schilling, 23, Transfiguration, Oakdale
“When I was invited to join a small group, I had been a member of Presentation for about seven months. I knew only a handful of people. With my small group, I was introduced to a new group of friends, and I felt like I belonged. Walking into church on Sunday morning is a lot more fun when people smile, call me by my name and seem happy to see me, as I am happy to see them. My small group has helped me grow spiritually. Sharing what God has done for me and what I have done for God has made me much more aware of God’s gifts, and more intentional about striving to emulate Jesus more consistently. Answering both questions has helped me become more cognizant and appreciative of God’s love and has expanded my thinking about what my relationship with Jesus is and what it could be. Praying for the needs within the group and for the needs of those they love has become a special part of our time together. I have experienced the power of prayer many times, so I see the opportunity to participate in group prayer to ask for God’s intercession as a privilege. It is often the most poignant part of the meeting for me.” — Kathy Mertz, 74, Presentation of Mary, Maplewood
“It has given me greater knowledge and insight into our faith, especially the life of Jesus. I have learned so much through Scripture and others in my group. Their insights are very helpful, and I enjoy hearing others’ perspectives.” — Bebe Paulson, 55, St. Hubert, Chanhassen
“We care about each other’s spiritual growth, and they are a joy to be with!” — Sandra Larsen, 53, St. Peter, Mendota
“The women in my group are very open to sharing their experiences with God in their lives. We talk over suggestions that some have used to increase prayer time and what they use to support their faith as they move through their day. Everyone participates and I always leave feeling closer to them and God.” — Lori Raleigh, Guardian Angels, Oakdale
