Building Community

My son and his family moved to South Carolina; and while I was glad to see them pursue something that was important to them, I also, hoped they would be able to build community with this move.  My daughter-in-law has family in the same area, but being among others with a young family is important in so many ways. 

After renting for a while, they found a home to buy in a good neighborhood.  It is on a cul-de-sac and they quickly found out the street was filled with young families – a real plus for their son.  But more than that, the home provided a chance to share the trials of parenting and opportunities to make memories and establish friendships. 

This group has meals together and shares birthday parties, movie nights and lots of fun.  They find babysitting, advice on health, group opportunities and sharing the ups and downs of everyday life. 

I always enjoy it when we talk on the phone and he tells me of the latest activities in the neighborhood. I feel like I have been there with them.  I am so happy they found a connection with others for that is how life should be, that is why God gives us one another.

I see community among the members of every parish, and I am so blessed to belong to a parish that feels like family. Each time something is needed, someone always steps up to meet that need.  Whether it is through fundraisers, catechists for the Religious Education program, help with the youth group, bereavement meals, etc., it is good to know that someone will be there for you – again, living the life God has planned for us.

We see community through the schools, the sports programs, all extracurricular activities and ways to help our young people grow.  We set the examples for them by our choices, our sacrifices and our willingness to be that person who will help.

My husband and I attended the installation of Archbishop Thompson recently, and community was certainly present there.  People from two Dioceses came together to celebrate in a wonderful ceremony for this special man, who is answering the call of God to serve his people.  It was a powerful sight to see all who came to be a part of this occasion.  You could feel the excitement, see the hope and experience the faith of each person present.

I think of the early community in the Church and how they had to rely on one another in a times of persecution and even death, to practice the faith they felt called to follow. In the time of Moses, people put their total faith in God to lead them to a better life.  The Apostles left behind comfortable lives to follow Jesus so they could, in return, lead the people after he was gone.  They showed us the way to better understand how community works when God is first in our lives.

It is so easy to take things for granted, but life doesn’t just happen; it takes a community working together to make it work.  We see it through Habitat for Humanity, food pantries, soup kitchens, St. Vincent De Paul, Teens Encounter Christ and Cursillo. 

The opportunities are endless for us to reach out and help one another, thus building community.  So look around you, rejoice in the fact that we can be “Christ’ to one another. 

Identify how God is calling you to be a part of his community.  I look forward to hearing from my son and his neighborhood community on the ways they continue to grow and be of help to one another.  Perhaps one day I will be there to share in one of their activities!