Building community together

Many people from our diocese are working to implement the recommended actions in our “Diocesan Road Map for Pastoral, Program, and Facility Needs 2008-2013.” More than 50 people are serving on task forces and more than 500 have attended vicariate meetings (two more vicariates will meet this fall). Pastors and staff have graciously hosted these meetings. The discussions and comments of the many parishioners who attended make it clear that they are working with their leaders to make their Catholic communities welcoming, faith-centered environments.

Our diocese and parishes are not alone in this commitment to build community. On a recent trip I was impressed with how important nourishing a strong sense of community is to Catholics in many parts of our country.

One of Webster’s definitions for community is “a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists.”

Celebrating the Eucharist in many different parishes always speaks volumes about the unity of our sacramental life. In this celebration we are a distinct community.

In addition, I noted in parishes from Minnesota to the East Coast activities designed to draw people together—to engender a sense of belonging to the Church by building community with friends and neighbors. In a world torn by so much strife, building a sense of community is something to which we can all contribute.

As examples of community building, I’d like to share some of the activities I read or heard about. A small country Catholic church on the Minnesota prairie hosted a fall supper for parishioners and guests. Separately, their bishop invited parishioners to an open house at the diocesan retirement center located nearby.

In Maryland, a parish not far from the Chesapeake Bay had plans to bring its parishioners and guests together for a crab fest, an Octoberfest celebration, and to hear a Russian vocal ensemble.

A large New York parish located near Central Park, together with its Franciscan Community Center, was preparing for its annual block party. The planned ethnic food sounded delicious. This was a diverse parish as evidenced by attendees at Mass and its bilingual bulletin. That bulletin noted the offering of a lecture series at a neighboring parish focusing on “adjustment to retirement.”

As you would expect, active faith formation programs were evident in all parishes. These included baptism preparation and RCIA classes. One parish designated a “catechetical Sunday” to launch its religious education classes.

The active youth ministry program at one parish was notable; it involved a youth rally, picnic, contemporary music ensemble, and participation by youth in the bishop’s installation Mass. Several parishes were celebrating the jubilee year of St. Paul with special presentations. Prayer groups are common; one parish offered “centering prayer groups.” And there were parish picnics, food drives, paper sales, bake sales, school open houses and outings for seniors.

A special stop on this trip was a celebration at a women’s monastery in Minnesota that brought together 700 friends, family, and supporters. These Benedictine women lived out their commitment to community by warmly welcoming guests and making them feel part of a vibrant Catholic community. In a brief afternoon they honored a lay leader, provided tours, made beautiful handmade articles available as prizes or for purchase, prayed with their guests, and shared a delicious meal. These women know how to make one feel part of a community.

Many of our Hawaii parishes offer similar community building activities. It’s validating and inspiring to see this spirit of community around the country and to gain a few new ideas. It was a good trip, but nothing is better than coming home. I want to thank my colleagues who have helped and will continue to help with these columns. As we witness to Jesus, let us continue to build community with those who embrace our faith and extend that community to those who don’t.