Building Unity Through Community
“What do you think it means to have community?”
Parishioners at the Ministry Fair
This question came up during a family brunch a few weeks back. As we discussed answers, I couldn’t help but think that family is often where we first experience community. Family is where we are first known and part of a group. Often, it is to our families that we return when we experience hardship or uncertainty or need comfort. In this way, family life gives us a building block to understand what community is, or at least what it could look like.
If we break down the word community, using a little bit of Latin to guide us, we can understand that basically community is a one-ness with others (unity coming from unus which means one and comm originating from the word cum meaning with). The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers another word, an ancient Greek word, to discuss community: koinonia (κοινωνία) pronounced “coin-no-knee-ah”. St. Paul often used this particular Greek word to identify the unity of the faithful with Christ and one another, and it is also exemplified by Acts 2:42-47: “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
St. Johns Young Professionals share a meal
The community of the early Church described in Acts sounds quite wonderful, doesn’t it? Perhaps you are wondering how does such community form? I would like to return to the thought of family as our first community experience. In family life, the vast world becomes small. It is possible for every person within a family to know everyone intimately. This is the model for how we build community in our parish. Families are small and intimate groups, which we can emulate.
Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul represented at the Ministry Fair
You may have heard or seen the term ‘Community Groups’. These are groups that you can join and be a part of to build community in our parish and to experience the joy of growing deeper in relationship with Jesus with others. Some of the groups are focused particularly on discussion, like Bible studies and book groups, while others are centered around charitable service to those in need, such as St. Vincent de Paul or Jeremiah Program. At the recent Ministry Fair, many of these groups were present to talk with anyone interested in learning more. I know that for myself, attending a book group with other women has really helped me form lasting friendships and also a sense of belonging right here at the Co-Cathedral.
If you haven’t already found a group to inquire about, please consider checking out the groups: sj.groupvitals.com/groupfinder! Or if you wish there was a group that you don’t see, reach out to stjohns@sj.org and let us know.